Knoxville Baseball Showdown: South Carolina Falls to Tennessee

In a high-stakes matchup at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, the University of South Carolina baseball team faced a tough 9-3 loss against Tennessee on Thursday night (May 16). The game marked the first of a thrilling three-game series between the Gamecocks and the Volunteers.

Home Runs Galore

The game kicked off with a bang as Ethan Petry smashed his 20th home run of the season, giving South Carolina an early lead with a solo shot to left field in the first inning. However, Tennessee quickly retaliated with Christian Moore launching his 25th home run, leveling the score at 1-1 after the opening inning.

Tennessee surged ahead in the third inning, putting four runs on the board courtesy of home runs from Moore and Kavares Tears. The Volunteers extended their lead to 6-1 in the fourth inning with Blake Burke’s RBI double. South Carolina’s Cole Messina managed to narrow the gap in the sixth inning with a solo home run over the center field.

Strong Efforts, Tough Outcome

Despite a valiant effort, South Carolina’s Ty Good suffered the loss on the mound, allowing five hits and six runs with four strikeouts over four innings. Tyler Pitzer showcased solid performance with four strikeouts in three innings. Petry, Messina, and Dalton Reeves each contributed two hits, with Messina also scoring two runs.

Postgame Insights

Petry’s 43 career home runs now tie him for sixth place in Carolina history, while Good reached a milestone of 341 career strikeouts between Carolina and the College of Charleston. The Gamecocks look to bounce back in the upcoming games to secure a win against the Volunteers.

Next Up

South Carolina will face off against Tennessee once again on Friday night (May 17) at 6:30 p.m. The game will be streamed live on SEC Network Plus, offering fans an exciting opportunity to cheer on their favorite teams.