Baseball Falls to #21 South Carolina in Series Finale

COLUMBIA, S.C. - - Belmont University (5-3) wrapped up their weekend series at #21 South Carolina (7-1) Sunday afternoon. Belmont struggled to control the Gamecocks' bats and handling pitchers, as South Carolina won 12-1 in eight innings.

Bruin Bullets

• Brodey Heaton extended his hit streak to seven games, with an RBI single in the first inning.
• Landon Godsey, Sam Slaughter, and Sam Kirkpatrick each recorded a hit.
• Dominic Baratta tossed four innings in relief, allowed two hits, one unearned run, and struck out a season-high five batters.

Belmont scored their only run of the afternoon in the first inning. Pete Daniel led off the game with a walk. Another walk to Max Jones with two outs moved Daniel into scoring position. Brodey Heaton singled through the left side, and drove in Daniel. Heaton's fifth RBI of the season gave Belmont a 1-0 lead.
 
South Carolina scored 12 unanswered runs. The Gamecocks totaled 10 hits in the game.
 
A huge six-run first inning from the Gamecocks set the Bruins back and in the rearview mirror. A lead-off solo shot from Kennedy Jones tied the ball game, on the fourth pitch thrown by Jalen Borders. The Gamecocks' hot start forced Borders out of the game early, as Jordan Zuger came in to pitch once the lineup card rolled over. After the first, South Carolina led, 6-1.
 
The Bruins left eight runners on base in the game. Hits from Landon Godsey, Sam Kirkpatrick, and Sam Slaughter were the only other offense for the Bruins.
 
Jordan Zuger finished the game with a pair of strikeouts, allowed three runs, in his 2.2 innings of work.
 
Dominic Baratta was a bright spot on the mound for the Bruins, and gave Belmont a chance to come back. He went a season-high four innings, and struck out a season-high five Gamecocks. He allowed two hits and one unearned run.
 
Up Next
 
Belmont returns to action on Tuesday, February 27, against Tennessee Tech. First pitch from Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT. Coverage of the game is available at belmontbruins.com.
 
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