SEC Tournament - South Carolina vs. Missouri, game recap: Gamecocks' season ends in 5-1 loss to Tigers

A disappointing season came to an end in Hoover on Tuesday afternoon as the Gamecocks repeated a familiar pattern: staying in the game for a while, falling behind, and failing to capitalize on opportunities. Missouri got on the board first, taking a 2-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI single by Trey Harris and an RBI sac fly from Jake Ivory. South Carolina responded in the next inning, scoring their only run of the day. Marcus Mooney led off and reached first on an error, Clark Scolamiero hit into a fielder's choice, Gene Cone knocked a base hit to put runners on the corners, and then DC Arendas came through with an RBI sac fly to make it 2-1. The Tigers added a run in the fourth inning thanks to an RBI single from Zach Lavy, then they tacked on their final two runs in the eighth inning. With no outs, Shane Benes grouned out to get one run in, then with one out, Lavy tallied another RBI, this time on a sac fly. The Gamecocks had a great opportunity to get right back in the game in the top of the eighth, after Clark Scolamiero led off with a single and Gene Cone followed with a double. Unfortunately - though perhaps unsurprisingly - they left both runners stranded. Starter Jack Wynkoop - in what could have been his final appearance for South Carolina - had another good outing. He worked seven innings and allowed nine hits, four runs, walked one batter, and struck out four. Wynkoop took the loss and finishes the season 8-5. Brandon Murray also took the mound for the Gamecocks in this game. Among other players who definitely or likely made their final appearance for South Carolina is Kyle Martin, who deserved a better senior season (although he personally was great). Barring some sort of cosmic miracle, the Gamecocks will not make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a looooong time. South Carolina finishes the 2015 season with a record of 32-25 overall and 13-18 in conference play. Missouri is 29-26 overall and 16-15 in conference play.