Gamecocks drop opening regional game to Rhode Island 5-4
Box Score | Gallery | Gamecocks fighting uphill battle now
Bats die midgame, Gamecocks suffer major upset
Entering Friday’s game against fourth-seeded Rhode Island, South Carolina had to be thinking that runs would come at a premium. The Rams started sophomore left-hander Tyler Wilson, a second-team All-American. In the end, he proved to be one of the key factors in the 5-4 South Carolina defeat.
It took one pitch for the Gamecocks to strike, a solo blast to right by right fielder Gene Cone. Following a deep fly out by T.J. Hopkins, center fielder Dom Thompson-Williams hit a double into the gap in left-center. Jonah Bride struck out, bringing up Alex Destino.
Destino was nearly pegged on a pitch that was high and inside, and was visibly upset. Accordingly, the sophomore lefty crushed the next pitch over the right field wall. Even after the blast, Destino looked frustrated with Wilson.
The Gamecocks tacked on a run in the third inning when Bride singled in Hopkins from third and with Clarke Schmidt cruising, South Carolina looked to be in complete control. The sophomore righty had eight strikeouts through three and a third innings, but ran into trouble after conceding two solo homeruns on back-to-back pitches.
Things came to a head when two singles and a walk loaded the bases with no outs to open the fifth inning. An RBI single ended Schmidt’s day after just four-plus innings. Reed Scott entered with the Gamecocks clinging to a 4-3 lead.
The first batter hit a sharp liner to short, bringing up first baseman Brett McManus. He jumped on the first pitch, sending it to deep left-center. There, it things got weird. Thompson-Williams, who got a good read on the ball, made a diving effort, seemingly robbing McManus of extra bases. However, the ball slipped out and two runners scored. Thompson-Williams fired to second for the force out, since the runner at first thought the ball was caught and stayed planted on the base.
It was just a 5-4 lead, but with Wilson on the mound, it the margin mattered little. The sophomore All-American really settled in after the rocky start and threw 125 pitches over seven innings, not allowing a hit after the fourth. He established an inside fastball and baffled the Gamecock hitters.
Relievers Nick Johnson and Tyler Barss combined to allow just a walk over the game’s final two innings and send the Gamecocks to the loser’s bracket.
Holbrook hits the showers early
Following a series of controversial calls at the plate, head coach Chad Holbrook decided enough was enough in the top of the seventh inning. Following a long mound visit, Holbrook yelled at homeplate umpire Skip Deitz, getting ejected and kicking some dirt on the plate in the process.
If it was a ploy to fire up the team, it didn’t work. The Gamecocks continued their struggles at the plate.
Holbrook will not be suspended, per NCAA rules.
Rally Falls Short
Marcus Mooney drew a six-pitch walk to start the ninth, bringing up Cone. In a difficult decision, the three Gamecock assistant coaches elected to call for a sacrifice bunt. It worked to perfection, but Hopkins and Thompson-Williams failed to drive in Mooney, stranding him at second to end the game.
It was another example of the struggles that the Gamecock hitters have displayed at the plate.
What’s Next?
South Carolina will face Duke in the loser’s bracket Saturday at noon. For the Gamecocks to advance to the Super Regionals for a possible showdown with rival Clemson, they will have to win four straight games, one on Saturday, two on Sunday and one on Monday. Freshman Braden Webb will start on the mound against Duke.
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