South Carolina Falls Short in SEC Opener Against No. 12 Oklahoma, 8-5
COLUMBIA (Gamecocks Athletics) – South Carolina baseball opened its SEC schedule with a tough 8-5 loss to No. 12 Oklahoma on Friday night (March 14) at Ray Tanner Field at Founders Park.
Early Deficit Too Much to Overcome
Oklahoma jumped out to a fast start, scoring four runs on four hits in the first inning. Despite the rough opening, Brandon Stone settled in to pitch five innings, allowing seven hits and five runs while recording three strikeouts and two walks.
The Gamecocks got on the board in the fifth, thanks to a triple by Jordan Carrion and an RBI groundout from Henry Kaczmar. However, Oklahoma extended its lead with two more runs in the sixth before South Carolina responded with a four-run bottom half.
Gamecocks Fight Back But Fall Short
In the sixth inning, Talmadge LeCroy sparked the rally with an RBI single, followed by Carrion’s groundout that brought home KJ Scobey. Infield singles from Kaczmar and Nathan Hall plated two more runs, cutting the deficit.
Oklahoma sealed the win with a solo home run in the eighth, making it an 8-5 final.
Notable Performances
- KJ Scobey led the Gamecocks’ offense with three hits, while LeCroy, Kaczmar, Hall, and Ethan Petry each recorded two hits.
- Matthew Becker provided solid relief, striking out two in 1.2 innings, while Jackson Soucie and Parker Marlatt added three and two strikeouts, respectively.
- Oklahoma’s Kyson Witherspoon earned the win, allowing six hits and three runs over 5.1 innings with seven strikeouts.
Postgame Notes
- Nathan Hall now leads the team with nine multi-hit games and is riding a nine-game hitting streak.
- Hall has also reached base in 12 straight games.
- Carrion is batting .421 over the last five games.
- Oklahoma hit three solo home runs in the game.
Up Next
South Carolina and Oklahoma continue their three-game series on Saturday, March 15, at 4 p.m. at Ray Tanner Field at Founders Park. The game will be streamed on SEC Network Plus.
