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15 Things: Texas A&M Game 1

Chris Gillespie/GamecockCentral.com

Box Score | Photo Gallery

Leading off

--South Carolina was shut out for the fourth time this season and the first time at home. The Gamecocks are now 28-3 at Founders Park this year. It’s also only the third time this season they’ve lost the opening game of a series this season.

--South Carolina pieced together five hits Friday, but didn’t have a hit after Jonah Bride’s leadoff single in the fourth inning.

--The Gamecocks left eight runners on base and six were left on in scoring position.

--Gamecock batters struck out twelve times Friday. It was the most strikeouts this year since striking out 14 times April 30 against Florida.

--Reed Scott pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, striking out one batter. It’s his seventh straight appearance where he hasn’t allowed a run.

On deck

Clarke Schmidt on usually winning games when he only gives up one run: “Typically, that’s what you think, but this is a good club all around. I know my offense is always going to back me up. They didn’t pull through tonight but sometimes you can’t get that big hit you need. It’s rough, but we’ll be fine.”

Clarke Schmidt on being pulled in the eighth: “I always want to stay in the game. I feel like I’m at my best all the time. I felt like this was my game and I wanted to stay out there. They felt differently, which is fine. I’ve never second-doubted their opinions.”

Dom Thompson-Williams on lack of offense: “It’s frustrating against any team that you play when you do that. I think we need to shorten up on strikeouts and put the ball in play. That’s what they did and they got a couple runs out of it.”

Chad Holbrook on team’s confidence: “We’re not squaring a lot of balls up but when we do it seems like they’re getting caught. It’s frustrating. I would say frustration is a better word than pressing. It’s frustrating because runs came easy for us at the middle part of the year when things were going great for us. Now runs aren’t coming easy and I think our guys are getting frustrated. That happens in this sport and you have to come back to the park and strap it on a little bit tighter, go out there and compete a little bit harder. You have to try and make something happen. It’s not just going to happen for you.”

Holbrook on approach to build confidence: “I’m not some magician that can cure a slump or snap my figures and all of a sudden an unconfident kid becomes a confident kid. I can’t do that. Ultimately, you have to go out there and perform. I can pat them on the butt and try to get them ready from a fundamental standpoint. I can encourage them, but the kid’s got to go play. And I have to try and help them play better.”

Hitting cleanup

--Clarke Schmidt lost for the second time this season and the first time at home. He’s 9-2 this year. He gave up three earned runs, which is the lowest run total he’s allowed and lost a game in his career.

--Schmidt tallied his 102nd strikeout Friday. He becomes the 29th pitcher in school history to have 100 punch-outs in a season.

--John Jones batted second in the lineup for just the third time all season and the first time since April 2. He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Holbrook said he’s not sure if Jones will start Saturday.

--Alex Destino’s team-leading five game hitting streak ended Friday. He went 0-for-3 with a walk.

--Announced attendance was 7,702.

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