No More Streaking: Maryland upsets the Gamecocks
By Rixon Lane
It had to end eventually, but that didn’t make the outcome any easier to swallow.
After 28 consecutive postseason wins at home, the Gamecocks finally dropped an NCAA tournament game at Carolina Stadium, falling 4-3 to Maryland. The loss was the first home loss in the tournament for South Carolina since 2002 and the first postseason loss ever at Carolina Stadium.
The Terrapins jumped on starter Jack Wynkoop early, knocking him around for four runs in the first two innings. Maryland was aided by errors from Joey Pankake and Gene Cone, which led to two runs. Wynkoop lasted just 1.2 innings before giving way to freshman reliever Taylor Widener, who turned in the finest outing of the Gamecock career. The Aiken native allowed just two hits in 6.1 innings, the longest outing of his career and kept the Gamecocks in the game.
In front of a raucous crowd of 6,813, the Gamecocks charged back. South Carolina plated a run in the fourth inning on a single from D.C. Arendas and scored two more In the sixth on a double from Kyle Martin and a sac fly from Arendas.
South Carolina threatened to take the lead in the top of the eighth. After a Kyle Martin single and a Grayson Greiner sacrifice bunt, Arendas was hit by a pitch. Maryland had a chance to end the inning on a Connor Bright ground ball, but the throw to first was high. However, Gene Cone struck out to end the inning.
The Gamecocks nearly rallied again in the ninth. Tanner English led off the inning with a single. Marcus Mooney struck out, but a Max Schrock single moved English to third. With the tying run 90 feet away, Maryland reliever induced a double play ground ball from Joey Pankake to end the game.
South Carolina must win three games in two days to advance to the super regionals for the fifth time in five years. Despite the long climb facing his team, Gamecock head coach Chad Holbrook says he’s focusing on his team’s rematch with Campbell tomorrow afternoon.
“I couldn’t care less if they asked us to win eight games in a row,” Holbrook said after the loss. “We’ve got to win the first one.”
However, Holbrook says he’s not ready to give up on the season.
“This thing’s a long way from being over.”