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I just...this game...
This was a slugfest, with both teams reaching double digit runs and multiple guys going yard. Unfortunately, the South Carolina bullpen struggled - again - and wasted what was by far the Gamecocks' best offensive performance this season. That a team could score 14 runs, get 21 hits (!!!!) and still lose is mind-boggling, even with a sub-par set of relievers, but such is 2015 South Carolina baseball.
Because the scoring in this game was bananas, here's a breakdown:
1st inning:
- No runs for either team; score: 0-0
2nd inning:
- Marcus Mooney scored on a Clark Scolamiero one-out double and Scolamiero scored on a one-out single from Max Schrock; score: 2-0
- No runs for the Aggies; score: 2-0
3rd inning:
- No runs for either team; score: 2-0
4th inning:
- Elliott Caldwell hit a two-run homer, Alex Destino followed with a solo home run; score: 5-0
- Mitchell Nau scored on a Hunter Melton single, Melton scored on a sac fly by J.B. Moss, Logan Nottebrook tallied a two-run home run; score: 5-4
5th inning:
- No runs for the Gamecocks; score: 5-4
- Blake Allemand scored on a passed ball, Ryne Birk scored on a double from Nick Banks; score: 6-5
6th inning:
- Caldwell and Destino scored on a DC Arendas single, Arendas scored on a base hit by Mooney, Mooney scored on a single from Scolamiero; score: 9-6
- Moss scored on a sac fly by Allemand, Birk hit a two-run homer; score: 9-9
7th inning:
- Kyle Martin went yard, Hunter Taylor belted a three-run home run; score: 13-9
- Melton hit a homer; score 13-10
8th inning:
- Patrick Harrington scored on a passed ball; score: 14-10
- Birk hit another two-run home run; score 14-12
9th inning:
- No runs for the Gamecocks; score: 14-12
- Melton homered, Moss and Nick Choruby scored a double from Allemand; score 15-14
South Carolina starter Clarke Schmidt did a pretty good job in the first three innings, before he gave up four runs in the fourth inning. Cody Mincey, Vince Fiori, Brandon Murray, Reed Scott and Taylor Widener allowed 11 runs over five innings. There also might not be anyone left to pitch tomorrow for the Gamecocks.
This game was a heartbreaker, and it also epitomized this season. South Carolina just can't put everything together, and it's a shame, because it seems as though the Gamecocks might be a pretty decent team if they could get out of their own way.
South Carolina drops to 29-22 overall and 11-15 in the SEC, while Texas A&M improves to 42-8 overall and 17-8 in conference play. They'll meet for the rubber game on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 2:05 p.m.