The University of South Carolina baseball team was defeated by Army West Point, 9-5, in the opening game of the Salute to Troops tournament on Friday at Founders Park.
Army established an early lead, scoring twice in the third inning with a run coming from a wild pitch and another from an RBI single. In the fourth inning, Army extended its advantage with a two-run home run. South Carolina responded in the fifth when Logan Sutter hit a double that allowed Patrick Evans to score.
In the seventh inning, Army widened its lead further with a double followed by a three-run home run, contributing to a four-run frame. Another home run in the eighth brought Army’s total to three for the game and pushed their lead even higher.
South Carolina attempted to rally late in the contest. Will Craddock delivered an RBI single, and two runs were scored via a bases-loaded walk in the eighth inning. Talmadge LeCroy added a solo home run in the ninth, but these efforts were not enough as Army secured victory in the first matchup of the six-game tournament.
LeCroy and Evans each recorded two hits and one RBI for South Carolina. Sutter also drove in two runs. Riley Goodman took the loss after allowing three runs on two hits over 3.2 innings while striking out three batters.
“LeCroy is now hitting .435 on the season with two home runs and five RBI,” according to postgame notes from South Carolina’s athletics department. “LeCroy had a stolen base in today’s game.” The notes also highlighted Parker Marlatt’s performance: “Parker Marlatt pitched a scoreless ninth with a pair of strikeouts.” Additionally, “Carolina pitching struck out 10 batters but also walked seven.”
South Carolina will continue play in the Salute to Troops weekend against Navy on Saturday at Founders Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m., and fans can watch live coverage on SEC Network Plus.
