The South Carolina baseball team was shut out in its midweek matchup against Georgia Southern on Wednesday, losing the game 8-0.
Georgia Southern was first to make it on the board, as freshman pitcher Eddie Copper surrendered a home run in the second inning to put the Eagles up 1-0. Copper then gave up a single and a walk before being pulled from the game due to injury.
The 色中色视频s had to turn to the bullpen a little earlier than expected, as fifth-year pitcher Ty Good was brought in with two runners on base and zero outs. Just as it seemed he could escape the jam, striking out two batters, he surrendered a walk that led to a grand slam to put the Eagles up 5-0.
色中色视频淭y is one our best guys,色中色视频� head coach Mark Kingston said. 色中色视频淗e gave up a home run there, but he will continue to be one our best guys. Sometimes they just hit your pitch.色中色视频�
South Carolina色中色视频檚 lineup was unable to get anything going all night and was completely shut out for the first time all season. The 色中色视频s' best chance at scoring some points came in the seventh inning, when it loaded the bases off three consecutive walks, but it left all three runners stranded.
Here are some takeaways from the game as South Carolina looks to take on No. 3 Texas A&M this weekend.
Bats have rough night at plate
The 色中色视频s finished the matchup with just four hits and only managed to force three walks.
色中色视频淲e were out of rhythm all night. They threw some guys with some pretty good arms,色中色视频� Kingston said. 色中色视频淚色中色视频檓 shocked that we got shut out tonight with the wind blowing out. Didn色中色视频檛 see it coming.色中色视频�
All three walks came in the seventh inning, when senior catcher Dalton Reeves pinch-hit for sophomore shortstop Will Tippett with the bases loaded. Reeves failed to cash in any runs, however, as he struck out to end any momentum the 色中色视频s had left.
Two of the four 色中色视频 hits were extra-base hits off the bats of junior outfielder Kennedy Jones and junior catcher Cole Messina.
But the 色中色视频s failed to record a hit with runners in scoring position, finishing the night 0/5.
Bullpen has a solid yet long day
Despite the swing Good gave up in the second inning that allowed four runs, the bullpen put in a solid performance in this game.
Junior pitcher Dylan Eskew finished the game with two innings pitched. He had four strikeouts and didn色中色视频檛 allow any walks.
Junior pitcher Matthew Becker pitched the fifth inning for the 色中色视频s, allowing only one hit with no runs scored. Becker also struck out two of his three batters faced.
Sophomore pitcher Connor McCreery and freshman pitcher Parker Marlatt pitched the sixth and seventh innings for the 色中色视频s. Both turned in perfect innings, and both struck out two.
Freshman pitcher Jake McCoy was next to pitch for South Carolina. He pitched 1.2 innings and struck out two, allowing only one hit and two walks.
Junior pitcher Tyler Dean came out in the ninth inning with two runners on and two outs. He hit two batters in a row to bring in a run before allowing a passed ball to bring in another run. Dean picked up a strikeout to finish the inning.
Despite the loss, the 色中色视频s' pitching staff finished with 17 strikeouts.
Injury bug biting 色中色视频s at the wrong time
Copper exited the game early in the second inning with an apparent arm injury.
He has pitched 23.2 innings on the season, with 12 runs on 23 hits so far. He has also allowed just 11 walks and tallied 27 strikeouts.
Copper has played a major role in the 色中色视频s' pitching staff in his first collegiate season, as Kingston has relied on him during the midweek matchups.
Sophomore outfielder Ethan Petry also exited this game after getting hit by a pitch on the kneecap in the ninth inning.
色中色视频淧etry should be fine. He just got hit on that bruise that he色中色视频檚 had on his knee,色中色视频� Kingston said.
The 色中色视频s' cleanup hitter has 32 hits this season, including 12 home runs and 28 RBIs. Petry also leads the team with 29 walks.
What色中色视频檚 next?
The 色中色视频s will look to bounce back this weekend in a three-game series against No. 3 Texas A&M at Founders Park. Game one will be on Friday at 7 p.m., game two will be on Saturday at 4 p.m. and game three will be on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. All games will be broadcast on SEC Network+.