Gamecocks Drop Game Two at Mississippi State 6-4
April 8, 2017
MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. – South Carolina (23-15, 3-10 SEC) could not come back twice, falling 6-4 at Mississippi State (28-13, 3-8 SEC) on Saturday afternoon at Nusz Park.
A three-run third proved pivotal for the Bulldogs, giving them the lead for good. Two walks and a passed ball set up Calyn Adams’s two-run double. After the Gamecocks got two outs, the third looked to be imminent after an infield pop fly. But a South Carolina fielder lost the ball in the sun, giving Katie Anne Bailey an RBI double. That lead grew to 6-2 in the fourth on Caroline Seitz’s second RBI-double of the day and Adams’ run-scoring single.
The Gamecocks chipped away at the lead, with the run in the fifth coming on senior Kaylea Snaer’s sacrifice fly. An inning later, senior Victoria Williams posted an RBI double after a pair of walks came with one down. But the Gamecocks spoiled their chance to tie by running into a double play with runners in scoring position to end the sixth. They went in order in the seventh.
Mississippi State took the 1-0 lead in the first when Seitz drove home Bevia Robinson with a double after Robinson started the frame with a walk. The Gamecocks gained a 2-1 lead in the second on senior Taylor Williams’ two-run home run, her second of the weekend.
MSU starter Alexis Silkwood (12-3) collected the win, giving up four earned runs on six hits and three walks in the complete game. She struck out six. Senior Jessica Elliott (9-7) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on a hit and four walks in 2.2 innings.
Game Changer
The two walks in the third that ended Elliott’s start came in to score and put the Bulldogs ahead for good.
Key Stat
Seitz and Adams, the Bulldogs’ No. 4 and 5 hitters, combined to go 5-for-6 with three doubles and five RBI.
NOTABLES
Taylor Williams’s home run, her third at Nusz Park in her career, ties her for 10th in program history with Evan Childs (2009-12) and Ashley Smith (2003-06) with 17.
Snaer’s fifth-inning sacrifice fly ties her for second in program history with McKenna Hughes (2004-07) and Shani Cannon (1992-95).
Bailey went 2-for-4, while Robinson doubled, stole a base, walked twice and scored two runs. Reggie Harrison also drew two walks and scored twice.
Victoria Williams went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
Junior Tiara Duffy scored twice and doubled, part of the bottom four in the Gamecocks’ order who combined to go 5-for-12 with three extra-base hits, two doubles and a home run.
Up Next
The Gamecocks and Bulldogs close out the series at 1 p.m. EDT, with the game showing on SEC Network + on Watch ESPN.
