2008 Woodie Awards
Runners left on base cost Gamecocks
Patrick Swafford and Marcus Cunningham
Issue date: 3/17/06 Section: Sports
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The Gamecocks entered Tuesday night's game with a 7-8 record after sweeping a three-game series at High Point with dominating offense.
Things seemed to be looking up for the Gamecocks, until trouble struck again.
Left on Base (LOB) was the ugly monster that showed up in the top of the second inning as two runners were left in scoring position. Not only did LOB ruin the Gamecocks' second inning, but he decided to grab some nachos and hang around for the rest of the game.
"We had people all over the place, we just couldn't get them in," JSU head coach Jim Case said. "We couldn't knock in runs tonight with runners on and the guys up to bat that we want up; and if those guys can't come through, we can't win."
Entering the third inning, the Gamecocks were down 2-0 due to two solo homeruns to left field in the first.
Later, in the bottom of the fourth, Birmingham-Southern sent another solo homer over the wall at left, putting the Panthers up with a three run lead.
After that, both teams held one another scoreless until the top of the seventh when the Gamecocks showed a sign of life. BSU pitcher, Paul Jones, walked JSU second baseman Bert Smith. Brian Piazza followed that walk with a single to left field sending Smith to second. Then catcher Eric Beck stepped up to the plate and hit a ball through the infield like a cannon was behind it, bringing Smith in for the score and placing Beck on first based. That inning ended with one run; two hits; one error; and two LOB.
Just when it looked like the Gamecocks could be back in it, Birmingham-Southern called their one run and raised them two in the bottom of the seventh, putting them up 6-1. As the seventh drew to a close, the offensive part of the game was done. Both teams finished the game without another player getting on base.