HOOVER, Ala. — South Carolina's long season ended on a day that stretched well into the evening in Hoover, Alabama. Carolina was scheduled to meet Florida at 2:00 p.m. EST but inclement weather and delays in the first game did not allow the teams to take the field until around 7:45 p.m.
The Gamecocks do not have good history at the SEC Tournament and that trend would continue as they fell to Florida 2-1 in 10 innings.
Colby Halter's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning gave the Gators the victory.
The Gamecocks lone run came in the top of the ninth as Andrew Eyster reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Braylen Wimmer to score, tying the game at 1.
In the bottom of the 10th, Ty Evans doubled off the third-base bag. Kendrick Calilao singled to center, putting runners at second and third. Halter's sacrifice fly to center ended the game and the Gamecocks' season. The throw from Evan Stone to Talmadge LeCroy was on target and LeCroy did tag the runner at home but dropped the ball and the umpire ruled the runner was safe. The bang-bang play was reviewed and the call was upheld, putting a final disappointing chapter to Carolina's season.
Will Sanders returned to form on the mound, striking out 10 and allowing an unearned run in seven innings pitched. Chapin's Cade Austin struck out four in 2.2 innings but he was tagged with the loss.
Sightler had two of Carolina's four hits on the night.
The Gamecocks finish the season 27-28, the first losing season for the program since 1996.