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After the 13-7 game in Starkville on Saturday and the 11-1 game Tuesday night, maybe you thought the Gamecocks had finally found some offensive firepower. You'd be wrong.
The Citadel got on the board first in this game, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a homer from Austin Mapes. The Bulldogs added another run in the second inning, this time on a homer from William Kinney.
South Carolina ended the shutout in the next inning. With one out, Gene Cone and Max Schrock knocked back-to-back singles, then Elliott Caldwell coaxed a two-out walk to load the bases. A bloop single from Jordan Gore got all three runners home, putting the Gamecocks up 3-2. Madison Stokes followed with an RBI base hit of his own, and that was the last run either team would score for the night.
Both did have good chances, though. South Carolina left the bases loaded in the seventh, and The Citadel had the bases loaded with two outs in the ninth, but neither team could cash in.
Gamecocks starter Clarke Schmidt worked four innings and gave up two runs, three hits, walked one batter and struck out seven, which is kind of a weird line. He probably could've pitched longer, but it's very likely that the coaches want him to be available against Florida this weekend. Vince Fiori, Brandon Murray, and Taylor Widener also pitched in this game.
South Carolina swept the season series against the Bulldogs and improves to 23-11. The Citadel drops to 15-16. The Gamecocks will be back in action this weekend when they travel to Gainesville to take on the Gators. First pitch in Friday's game is set for 7 p.m.