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The 2013-2014 South Carolina baseball season is over.
The Gamecocks were pretty hapless tonight, and their only real highlight came in the first inning. They took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, thanks to an RBI single from Kyle Martin. That was good. Unfortunately, it was about the only good thing they did all night.
The Terps ended the shutout in the fourth inning, when Blake Schmit came through with a two-out, 2-RBI single. From there, Maryland never looked back.
They added a run in the fifth inning, when LaMonte Wade hit into a fielder's choice that brought Anthony Papio home, then two more runs came in the sixth inning, thanks to an RBI single by Papio and Charlie White getting plunked with the bases loaded. One more run came in the sixth inning, courtesy of a wild pitch, and then four more runs were tacked on in the ninth inning.
After a dominant pitching performance and a strong offensive output earlier today, USC had neither of those things tonight. Joel Seddon started on the mound tonight, and completed the longest outing of his career. He worked 5.1 innings and allowed eight hits, five runs, walked two batters, and struck out six. Seddon took the loss and drops to 3-2. Cody Mincey, Josh Reagan, Vince Fiori, Reed Scott, and Hunter Privette also pitched for the Gamecocks.
Maryland starter Jake Drossner tossed 3.2 innings and gave up five hits, one run, issued two walks, and tallied four K's. Tayler Stiles earned the win and is now 5-2; Bobby Ruse got the save, his first.
Martin and English led the Gamecocks at the plate with two hits each, while White had three to pace the Terps.
This loss is a tough ending to great careers for guys like Greiner, Pankake, and Martin, among others, but I guess it's a good learning opportunity for the younger guys (I'm trying to find positives...). Given the multitude of injuries, sickness, and freshmen players that took the field this year, though, there's no shame in South Carolina's final record of 44-18. Maryland improves to 39-21 and will advance to the next round.