Another game where the Hogs were so close, but couldn't get the win.
There wasn't much offense in the game until the 6th inning. The Hogs stranded four runners until that point in the game. Brian Anderson lined a single back up the middle with one out. Then, Tyler Spoon struck out, but Anderson stole second and the throw from the catcher went into center field advancing Anderson to third. Then Blake Baxendale stepped up to the plate, 0 for 2 on the day with two strikeouts, and GOOD GAWD ALMIGHTY HE BLASTED ONE OFF THE LEFT CENTER FIELD WALL. It is always nice when a guy hitting .154 on the season comes up wIth a big two out hit.
But, all that excitement just lead to heartbreak. Trey Killian gave a valiant effort, but it unraveled for him in the eighth. Back-to-back doubles by the eight and nine hole hitters for the Gamecocks tied the game up. Then an RBI single to right scored another run and that was it for Killian. He went 7 2/3 innings, allowed six hits, two earned runs, walked two and struck out five. You can't ask for more a much better outing against the #2 team in the country.
Michael Gunn came in and forced Joey Pankake to fly out in foul territory to left field to end the inning and the damage.
South Carolina's starting pitcher, Jordan Montgomery, won the starting pitchers duel. He threw seven innings, only allowing one run, four hits, while striking out nine Razorback hitters. He walked Krisjon Wilkerson, who was pinch hitting for Andrew Benintendi, to lead off the bottom of the eighth. Cody Mincy came on in relief with no outs and inheriting Wilkerson at first. Joe Serrano bunted a nice sacrifice down the first base line advancing Clarke Eagan, who pinch ran for Wilkerson. None of that mattered, as Anderson and Spoon both struck out to end the inning. *Sad trombone*
On to the bottom of the ninth when South Carolina brought in their closer, Joel Seddon, who hadn't allowed a run in 16 innings pitched this season. He struck out two of the Razorback's final three outs to end the game to record his eighth save of the season.
The first pitch of the second game of the doubleheader is set for 6:35 p.m.