The University of South Carolina baseball team opened its three‑game series against Vanderbilt with a 9‑1 defeat on Thursday night, a result that left the Gamecocks searching for answers after a sluggish offensive showing.
Carolina managed to strike first, plating a run in the top of the second inning when Ethan Lizama delivered a timely single that brought home a run. The early lead was short‑lived, however, as Vanderbilt answered with a four‑run burst in the bottom of the same frame, highlighted by two‑run singles that flipped the momentum.
The Commodores extended their advantage in the fifth inning, adding four more runs through a combination of RBI singles and a sacrifice fly. A Chris Maldonado RBI double in the seventh inning capped the scoring, pushing the lead to 9‑1 and forcing the Gamecocks into a defensive posture for the remainder of the contest.
Pitching for South Carolina, Amp Phillips was charged with the loss after surrendering five hits and four runs in just 1.1 innings of work. Relievers Parker Marlatt and Josh Gunther stepped in to stem the tide, with Marlatt delivering two scoreless frames and striking out three batters, while Gunther’s first appearance of the month saw him toss two innings, fanning one while allowing a single run on two hits.
Despite the offensive onslaught, the Gamecocks were unable to string together hits, striking out eleven times throughout the game. Ethan Lizama was one of the few bright spots, finishing with two of Carolina’s four total hits.
The series will continue on Friday night, with a 6 p.m. Central Time first pitch at Hawkins Field. Fans can catch the action live on SEC Network Plus, hoping the Gamecocks can rally and force a split in the remaining games.