2018 NCAA Tournament Fayetteville Super Regional Game 1 Recap: Gamecocks Fall to Razorbacks 9-3

The Gamecocks looked like they were off to a good start against Arkansas in the first game of this weekend’s Super Regional, but pitching struggles and a lack of offense proved too much to overcome.

South Carolina got on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning after Justin Row singled to start things off and Hunter Taylor brought him home with an RBI double. The Razorbacks tied the game in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI sac fly.

The tie was shortlived, as the Gamecocks retook the lead in the top of the fourth on a homer by LT Tolbert that put them up 2-1. Arkansas answered in the bottom of the inning by taking their first lead of the game. After a single, a hit batter, and a walk loaded the bases, another batter got hit to force in the tying run. An RBI sac fly followed to put them on top 3-2.

It was USC’s turn to tie things up in the sixth inning, when Madison Stokes homered to lead off and make the score 3-3. Unfortunately, thing went downhill from there. The Razorbacks regained the lead in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single, then tacked on four insurance runs in the seventh inning courtesy of a three-run double and a sac fly. Their final run of the game came in the eighth inning on an RBI single.

Starter Adam Hill had a good outing for the first part of it, but then things took a turn. He worked four innings and gave up two hits and three runs. He walked five batters and struck out three. Eddy Demurias and John Gilreath combined to go the rest of the way, and Demurias took the loss. The Gamecocks issued a total of eight walks, hit two batters, had two wild pitches, and tallied a passed ball.

South Carolina and Arkansas will play again on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. The Gamecocks season will end with a loss (so let’s get a win, fellas).