South Carolina vs. Missouri game 1 recap: Tigers beat Gamecocks 7-2

The Gamecocks’ offense was lackluster for the second game in a row on Friday night, as they were unable to rally and dropped the series opener against Missouri on a rainy night in Columbia.

After starting about an hour and a half late, South Carolina got on the board first, taking a 2-0 lead in the second inning. With one out, Colin Burgess singled, Jack Mahoney and George Callil both walked to load the bases, and Brady Allen came through with an RBI single to make it 1-0. With two outs, a wild pitch brought in the second run, but that was unfortunately the end of the scoring for the home team.

The Tigers took a 3-2 lead in the fifth on a three-run double from Garrett Rice. They doubled their run total in the next inning, courtesy of a Brandt Belk RBI double and an error that brought in two runs, making it a 6-2 game. The final run of the game came in the eighth, when Belk grounded into a double play that allowed a runner to score.

Carolina starter Thomas Farr had a bit of a rough outing, working five innings and giving up four hits and three runs, walking five batters, and striking out nine. He took the loss and is now 2-2. Andrew Peters, Jackson Phipps, Wesley Sweatt, and John Gilreath also pitched in this game. Mizzou reliever Lukas Veinbergs got the win, making him 1-0. Allen led the Cocks at the plate with two hits and one RBI.

USC is now 19-9 overall and 6-4 in the SEC, while the Tigers are 11-17 overall and 4-6 in conference play. The Gamecocks will try to even the series up on Saturday, with first pitch set for noon at Founders Park. Brannon Jordan will start on the mound for the home team.