South Carolina vs. Arkansas game 2 recap: Gamecocks even series with 6-2 win over Razorbacks

After a lackluster showing across the board last night, South Carolina looked much better in the first game of today’s doubleheader against Arkansas, rallying midway through the game to set up a series-deciding game tonight.

The Razorbacks scored early, going up 1-0 in the second inning on a Cullen Smith solo shot. That score lasted until the fifth, when they scored their second and final run of the game on an RBI sac fly by Brady Slavens to make it 2-0.

The Gamecocks finally broke the shutout in the next inning, rallying to tie and then take the lead. With one out, Braylen Wimmer walked, Wes Clarke singled, and David Mendham walked too to load the bases. Andrew Eyster followed with an RBI single to make the score 2-1, then Josiah Sightler walked to knot the score at 2-2. Colin Burgess followed with an RBI sac fly and George Callil came through with an RBI single, putting USC up 4-2.

The Cocks tacked on two more runs in the eighth. Sightler doubled with one out, then scored on an RBI single from Burgess to make it a 5-2 game, and Burgess later scored on an RBI single by Michael Robinson.

Carolina starter Brannon Jordan pitched 4.2 innings and gave up three hits and two runs, while also walking four batters and striking four out. Andrew Peters and Brett Kerry combined to go the rest of the way, with Peters earning the win, making him 4-1, and Kerry getting the save, his fourth of the season. Arkansas reliever Caden Monke took the loss and is now 5-1. Brady Allen led the Gamecocks at the plate with two hits, while Burgess tallied two RBI.

USC improves to 25-11 overall and 11-6 in the SEC, while the Razorbacks are now 31-7 overall and 12-5 in conference play. The rubber game is set for 7 p.m. tonight, with Will Sanders starting on the mound for the home team.