After a mediocre offensive performance on Friday night, so did South Carolina on Saturday as it was eliminated for the first time this season.
Much like Friday night’s game, Saturday’s went goalless for a series of innings, until Texas entered the table in fifth, gaining a 2-0 lead in a pair of solo shots from Peyton Powell and Mitchell Daly. The only other race in the game came at the bottom of the eighth inning, when an obstacle forced one to enter.
Although Gamecocks had multiple chances to score, they repeatedly failed to capitalize, which was not exactly encouraging.
USC starter Brannon Jordan had a better start than his final line could have indicated, working five starts and allowing three strokes and two runs, while hitting six hitters and walking two. He also suffered defeat and is now 1-1. Jack Mahoney, Jackson Phipps, Brett Thomas, John Gilreath and Daniel Lloyd combined to do the rest of the way for Gamecocks. Longhorns holder Tristan Stevens won and appeasement Palmer Wenzel defended. Despite the goose egg on the scoreboard, Brady Allen, Josiah Sightler and George Callil scored two hits each on the plate.
With the defeat, South Carolina is now 11-2, while Texas improves to 10-5. Gamecocks will try to avoid being swept away on Sunday, with the first pitch scheduled for 11am in Austin.