:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59302597/8227884.0.jpg)
It turns out giving up a bunch of runs early may not be a great strategy if you’re looking to win a baseball game, a lesson South Carolina learned as they got trounced by Kentucky on Friday night.
After a scoreless first inning for both teams, the Wildcats got on the board in the second inning, taking a 3-0 lead on a pair of RBI singles and a throwing error. UK added four more runs in the next inning, courtesy of a bases-loaded walk and a three-run double, putting the Wildcats up 7-0.
Kentucky added another run in the fifth inning on an RBI single, then five more in the sixth thanks to another bases-loaded walk and a grand slam, giving the Wildcats a 13-0 lead.
The Gamecocks’ only run of the game came in the top of the seventh inning. LT Tolbert led off with a single, Jonah Bride followed with a base hit, and Matt Williams singled too to get USC on the board and make the score 13-1. UK scored its final run of the game on a homer in the bottom of the seventh.
Starter Adam Hill worked just three innings and allowed four hits and seven runs. He walked seven batters and struck out two. Hill took the loss and is now 3-3 on the season. TJ Shook, John Gilreath, and Hunter Lomas also pitched in this game.
South Carolina is now 17-13 overall and 4-6 in conference play, while Kentucky improves to 21-9 overall and 4-6 in the SEC. They’ll meet again Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.