South Carolina at Tennessee game 3 recap: Gamecocks fall to Vols 6-3, drop series

After coming from behind to nab a close win on Saturday night, South Carolina was on the losing end of a similar situation on Sunday, as the Volunteers pulled off a comeback to win the rubber game and the series.

Tennessee got on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single by Evan Russell. That score held until the fourth inning, when the Vols added another run as Ricky Martinez scored on a wild pitch to put them up 2-0.

The Gamecocks ended the shutout in the next inning, as Noah Campbell doubled with one out, then came home an RBI single by Brady Allen, making the score 2-1. USC then took the lead in the next inning. With one out, TJ Hopkins singled, then he stole second and advanced on a passed ball with two outs. Luke Berryhill followed with a walk, then Chris Cullen came through with a two-run double to make it 3-2.

That lead was fairly short-lived though, because Tennessee got back on top in the eighth inning as they scored four runs on an RBI groundout by Connor Pavolony, a two-run single from Jake Rucker, and a Max Ferguson RBI sac fly.

Gamecocks starter TJ Shook worked 3.2 innings and allowed five hits and two runs. He walked one batter and also struck one out. Cam Tringali, Gage Hinson, Dylan Harley and Sawyer Bridges also pitched in the game. Hinson took the loss and is now 0-1. Volunteers reliever Garrett Crochet earned the win and is now 2-1.

South Carolina drops to 16-8 overall and 1-5 in the SEC, while Tennessee improves to 20-5 overall and 2-4 in conference play. The Gamecocks will be back in action on Tuesday when they host North Carolina A&T. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. at Founders Park.