Furman tops South Carolina in Greenville

The South Carolina Gamecocks (11-3) were defeated 4-2 by the Furman Paladins (7-11) Tuesday night at Fluor Field in Greenville, SC.

The Gamecocks have hit a rough spot in their last couple of games, losing Sunday afternoon to Cal State-Bakersfield 8-3, and now dropping a winnable game to Furman 4-2.

The Gamecocks fell behind early 2-0 on the strength of three hits and a balk in the second inning.  Taylor Johnson scored on a balk by Adam Westmoreland to give the Paladins a 1-0 advantage.  Later in the inning, J.B. Jenkins scored on a single by Paul Nitto, putting Furman up 2-0.

The bats were quiet on both sides through the fourth inning, until Johnson continued his solid hitting again for Furman in the bottom of the fifth, singling in Aaron Thompkins putting Furman up 3-0.  The Paladins struck again later in the inning when Jose Mata walked in Will Muzika to give Furman a four run cushion.

South Carolina was able to strike in the top of the sixth.  Adam Matthews scored on an Adrian Morales single to put the Gamecocks on the board.  A two out RBI single by Robert Beary plated Jackie Bradley, Jr. to cut the Furman lead to 4-2.

Unfortunately for Carolina, that would be the final.

Matt Plate replaced Daniel Stallsmith on the hill for Furman in the sixth inning, and threw 2.1 scoreless innings for the Paladins before giving way to Dylan Cole who gave Furman a scoreless ninth inning.

South Carolina will be back in action hosting the Wofford Terriers on Wednesday night at Carolina Stadium at 7 p.m.  They will play their first SEC series this weekend at home, facing off against Georgia on Friday at 7, Saturday at 4, and Sunday at 1:30.

Hitting for Carolina:

Scott Wingo, 2B  0-4
Adam Matthews, RF  1-4
Jackie Bradley, Jr., CF  1-3
Christian Walker, 1B  0-4
Adrian Morales, 3B  2-4, RBI
Jake Williams, DH  0-4
Robert Beary, C  1-3, RBI
Brady Thomas, C  0-1
Evan Marzilli, LF  1-3
Peter Mooney, SS  1-3

Pitching for Carolina:

Adam Westmoreland   2.0 IP  4 H  2 ER  2 BB  0 K's
Jose Mata                   3.0 IP  5 H  2 ER  2 BB  2 K's
John Taylor                 3.0 IP  0 H  0 ER  2 BB  3 K's