Baum-Walker Stadium – Fayetteville, Arkansas
Game One
Friday, May 12th, 2023
The #6 Gamecocks travelled into Arkansas to take on the #3 Razorbacks. Game one didn’t go Carolina’s way as they fell 4-1. Eli Jones started on the bump for Gamecocks and went 5IP, 4H, 2ER, 10K, 2BB- on 91 pitches. An RBI single from Kendall Diggs broke the ice in the 3rd and gave the Razorbacks the lead. The Gamecocks would later tie it up at 1 in the 6th thanks to an RBI single from Braylen Wimmer. But Arkansas would get that run and the lead right back in the home half of the 6th from a bases loaded double-play fielders choice. The Razorbacks scored again the 7th on another single to right from Diggs, brining in 2 runs and making it 4-1.
The Razorbacks pitching staff absolutely shut down the stout Gamecocks offense all game. Hagen Smith started the game and went 5.2IP, 4H, ER, 7K, 3BB on 94 pitches. Gage Wood came on in relief of him and was all that was needed out of their bullpen. He went the rest of the way in long relief and picked up the win (2-0), going 3.1IP, 2H, 0ER, 4K, 0BB on 59 pitches.
TOP PERFORMERS:
- Kendall Diggs: 2-4, 3RBI, 2K
STATS & NOTES:
- This was the first time South Carolina played in Arkansas since the 2018 Fayetteville Super Regional.
- Arkansas, now in sole possession of 1st place in the SEC
- The Razorbacks will go for their 7th SEC series win of the season tomorrow.
Game Two
Saturday, May 13th, 2023
Game two of the series was another tight, old school ballgame. Both starters, Jack Mahoney and Brady Tygart started very strong and with 3 scoreless frames each. Mahoney continued his dominates finishing 7IP, 5H, 0ER, 6K, 2BB on 90 pitches. Will Ethridge would come on in relief in the 4th for Tygart after throwing 37 pitches in his third outing on the mound since returning from an early-season injury scare. Ethridge went the rest of the game, throwing 6IP, 5H, 3ER, 9K, 2BB on 98 pitches. Chris Veach came out of the pen and covered the last 2 innings for the Yardcocks and was able to contain the Razorbacks going 2IP, H, ER, 2K, BB on 31 pitches.
The Gamecock offense did all its damage vs Ethridge in the 4th inning. Gavin Casas got the boys on the board with an RBI single, scoring Ethan Petry. Braylen Wimmer plated another with an RBI single up the middle to score Cole Messina. Then Evan Stone came through with a 2 out RBI single to left that scored Casas to make it 3-1.
STATS & NOTES:
- Gavin Casas: 1-3, R, RBI, K
- Braylen Wimmer: 2-4, RBI, K
POSTGAME NOTES
- The Gamecocks pick up their 15th SEC win.
- Carolina snapped a five-game losing skid.
Game Three
Sunday, May 14th, 2023
Sunday’s game was a rubber match for the series and another hard fought game, however, the Gamecocks would fall 5-1. The Gamecocks jumped up early 1-0 thanks to a Will Tippett solo homer in the 3rd. Unfortunately, it was all Razorbacks after that. Arkansas would get that run back in the home half of the 3rd with a Josh Bolton RBI double and not look back. In the 5th, Parker Rowland plated 2 more on a single to center to go up 3-1. Then, in the 6th, Caleb Cali would plate another on an RBI single to right. The Razorbacks would add another run of insurance in the 8th thanks to a Ben McLaughlin homer on an 0-2 count after fouling off 6 straight pitches.
As for the Gamecock pitching staff, Matthew Becker got the start and went 5.2IP, 6H, 4ER, 7K, 0BB on 95 pitches. James Hicks would come out of the pen and finish the rest of the game. Hicks did his best to hold the Razorbacks and give his offense a chance, going 2.1IP, 4H, ER, 2K, 0BB on 38 pitches.
As for Arkansas on the hill, all they needed was Hunter Hollan. Hollan was electric and lights out all game as he went the distance for a complete game. His final line was CG 9IP, 5H, ER, 10K, BB on 113 pitches. A masterful performance by Hollan who was able to keep the Gamecock hitters off balance all day, only allowing a single run to a Carolina offense that has had a spectacular season.
TOP PERFORMERS:
- Parker Rowland: 1-3, 2RBI, 2K
- Caleb Cali: 3-4, RBI, R, K
STATS & NOTES:
- The Gamecocks have now lost 3 consecutive SEC series after starting 4-1-1 in SEC series.