May 3, 2003
Columbia, S.C. –
Kentucky fell for the second consecutive time, 7-2, to the South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia S.C., on Saturday, May 3. The Cats were limited to just six hits in the game, and only four by South Carolina starter David Marchbanks.
The Gamecocks jumped on top early, scoring twice in their half of the first. Bryan Triplett doubled to drive in Steven Tolleson and Landon Powell and make it a 2-0 game. The Cats threatened in the second, putting runners on the corners with one out, but a foul out to first base and a strikeout ended the threat. UK scratched for the first time in the top of the third when Mike Breyman delivered the first Wildcat hit, scoring Jake Kungl who had reached base on a walk.
South Carolina added runs in the fourth and fifth innings with Triplett striking again for his second RBI double of the game in the fifth, putting USC ahead, 4-1. The big blow came in the bottom of the seventh courtesy of Powell’s long home run down the right field line. The blast scored Brian Buscher and put USC up, 6-1. The final Gamecock run scored in the eighth when Justin Harris singled to score Jon Coutlangus. UK got its final run in the ninth as Joe Naill grounded out to score Gordon Tyler from third. Tyler led the UK offense, going 2-for-3 with a walk.
Marchbanks (11-2) went eight innings, allowing just one earned run on four hits to pick up his SEC-leading 11th win of the season. Heath Castle (5-4) took the loss for Kentucky, his first in his last five appearances.
The two teams will wrap up their three-game series on Sunday in Columbia. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. EST from Sarge Frye Field.
–UK–
