No. 7 South Carolina at Georgia, game 3 recap: Gamecocks lose to Bulldogs 5-2

After a decent offensive performance yesterday, the Gamecocks were back to their lackluster bats today, as they dropped the series against the Bulldogs.

UGA scored first again today (this was an unpleasant theme), thanks to an RBI groundout from Brandon Stephens in the second inning. The real damage came in the next inning, though. USC starter Wil Crowe didn't quite have his stuff today, and after issuing back-to-back two out walks that loaded the bases, he gave up a grand slam to Daniel Nichols, putting the Dawgs on top 5-0.

The Gamecocks ended the shutout in the sixth inning. Jordan Gore and Gene Cone led off with singles, then Marcus Mooney walked to fill the bases. Kyle Martin brught in one run with a fielder's choice, then Grayson Greiner brought in another with a combo of a single and a Georgia error.

Carolina scored once more, a ninth-inning run that came courtesy of an RBI double from Patrick Harrington.

Crowe had a tough outing today, and worked just three innings. He allowed four hits, five runs, walked two batters and didn't strike any out. He took the loss and drops to 6-3. Reed Scott, Josh Reagan, and Taylor Widener went the rest of the way n the mound for Carolina.

This loss basically kills any division/conference title hopes the Gamecocks had, and it puts the national seed in a bit of danger, too. Hopefully, there's nowhere to go but up from the series, which was full of lackluster offensive performances from most of (depleted) lineup.

South Carolina falls to 35-13 (13-11 in the SEC), while Georgia improves to 23-23-1 (9-14-1 in conference play). The Gamecocks will be back in action on Wednesday night, when they host Wofford. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Carolina Stadium.