The misery continues as the Gamecocks drop an 11-8 decision to Charlotte on Tuesday (AUDIO)

Charlotte 11 — USC 8 (Game Summary)

• Things started off well for the Gamecocks as USC grabbed a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning.
• After a pair of base hits from Tyler Bak and Patrick Evans, Will Craddock unloaded on the first pitch he saw for a three-run home run over the left field wall. USC added another run two batters later as KJ Scobey exchanged places with Talmadge LeCroy, who doubled prior to Scobey’s at-bat
• Charlotte cut the lead in half with a pair of runs in the fourth, before the Gamecocks added an infield single off the bat of Dawson Harmon to plate Bak for a 5-2 lead, setting the stage for the decisive fifth inning
• The 49ers exploded for seven runs in the fifth, taking advantage of a critical error by Scobey. With two outs and a run home, the sophomore shortstop misplayed a fly ball, allowing a run to score and keeping the inning alive. Then, with the bases loaded, Carolina’s fourth pitcher of the day, Josh Gregoire, walked in a run to tie the game at 5-5. One batter later, Todd Hudson swatted a grand slam to left field to give the visitors a 9-5 lead heading to the sixth
• USC rallied with three runs in the bottom of the sixth without collecting a base hit. A bases-loaded walk and a fielder’s choice, aided by an error, got the Gamecocks back to within 9-8. However, that was as close as USC could get
• Charlotte tacked on insurance runs in the 8th and 9th, and the 49er bullpen did the rest.
• USC went down in order in the 7th and 8th. Then in the 9th, Craddock led off the inning with a base hit, but LeCroy flew out, Scobey lined out, and Luke Yuhasz grounded out to first to end the game
• The victory was Charlotte’s fourth straight in the series, with USC’s last win coming in April of 2019
• The Gamecocks sent seven pitchers to the mound on Tuesday. Connor Chicoli got the start and worked 3 & 1/3 innings. Riley Goodman took the loss in relief to fall to 0-3 on the season
• USC, which entered the game with a .965 fielding percentage that was tied for 206th nationally, committed five errors against the 49ers
• Carolina will look to snap a five-game losing streak on Friday as the Gamecocks open a three-game home series with Arkansas beginning at 7 p.m.

USC HC Paul Mainieri — Charlotte Postgame Presser