No. 17 Auburn was unable to clinch the series against #6 South Carolina on Saturday evening, as the Gamecock bats heated up late after a slow start, while a poor offensive performance by the Tigers only generated 5 hits, tying a season low. The game was scoreless through 4 innings, until South Carolina finally got on the board with an RBI triple courtesy of Carlos Cortes in the 5th inning. That was followed immediately by an RBI single, and the Gamecocks took a 2-run lead into the 6th. Cortes continued his big night by hitting a grand slam in the 6th inning, extending the lead to 6-0. Auburn was unable to muster a response, and eventually fell by a final score of 7-0.
Davis Daniel started on the mound for the Tigers, and had a no-hitter through 4 innings. He finished the day with 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, and 4 Ks. Herndon and Klobosits came on in relief.
For South Carolina, junior Clarke Schmidt was phenomenal on the mound. He went 8 innings, giving up 5 hits, no runs, and striking out 10. Coach Butch Thompson called Schmidt’s performance “outstanding” and that it was the best pitching performance the Tigers have faced all season.
This was the first time Auburn has been shut-out all season, and the Tiger’s first home loss since the first week of March.
Auburn drops to 22-7 overall, and 6-2 in SEC play. The rubber match of the series will be played Sunday at 1 pm CST at Plainsman Park.
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