#3 South Carolina vs. #2 Texas A&M, Game 1 Recap: Aggies Blank Gamecocks 3-0

This game was not pretty for the Gamecocks, whose offensive struggles continued as they were shut out by the visiting Aggies.

There were few scoring chances throughout the first six innings, and the game was scoreless until the top of the seventh, when Texas A&M got on the board. Ryne Birk led off with a single, Michael Barash got plunked, and Nick Banks singled to load the bases with Aggies. With one out, Austin Homan hit into a fielder's choice that brought Birk home.

Texas A&M scored their other two runs in the eighth inning. Nick Choruby started things off with a double, Birk walked with two outs, and Barash knocked an RBI single to get Choruby in. After that, a walk to Banks loaded the bases, and then Jonathan Moroney also walked to force in the third run of the game.

The Aggies' pitchers were really good, but South Carolina's offense has also been scuffling a bit as of late, and that's a bit worrisome the closer we get to the postseason. Hopefully they can get back on track at the plate sooner rather than later, because just good pitching isn't going to be enough when it comes to the SEC and NCAA tournaments.

Clarke Schmidt was solid tonight, working 7.2 innings and allowing just five hits, three runs, walking two batters and striking out four. He did have a bit of a rough stretch in the seventh inning, misplaying a few balls that could have turned into outs, but overall he did a nice job. Tyler Johnson and Reed Scott also pitched for the Gamecocks in this game.

With the loss, South Carolina drops to 37-12 overall and 16-8 in the SEC, while Texas A&M is now 38-10 overall and 17-9 in conference play. They'll meet again Saturday at Founder's Park, with first pitch set for 7:30 p.m. Braden Webb will start on the mound for the Gamecocks.