USC won their first SEC series of the year with a 2-0 shut out victory over the Tigers in the first game of today’s doubleheader. They couldn’t pull off the sweep, though, as the Yardcocks were shut out 4-0 in the second game.

South Carolina 2, Missouri 0

After threatening in the second, the Gamecocks got on the board in the third inning. Max Schrock knocked a one-out single, Joey Pankake laced a two-out single, and an error made it possible for Schrock to get across the plate and put Carolina up 1-0.

The Cocks added their only other run in the fifth inning, and it came courtesy of a two-out solo home run from Chase Vergason.

The majority of the game was pretty quiet offensively, and each team only had one hit each from the fifth through eighth innings.

South Carolina starter Nolan Belcher worked 8 1/3 innings and allowed four hits, no runs, did not issue a walk, and struck out six batters. He earned the save and improves to 4-1 on the season. Tyler Webb closed out the game and got the save, his seventh. Mizzou starter Brett Graves pitched all nine innings and gave up seven hits, two runs, no walks, and struck out four batters. He took the loss and drops to 0-2 on the season.

Connor Bright went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead USC. Dillon Everett led Missouri and was 2-for-3.

South Carolina 0, Missouri 4

Little went right for the Gamecocks in the final game of the series. The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, when Dane Opel walked with two outs and Dylan Kelly doubled to bring him home.

USC had a chance to tie or take the lead in the top of the second. With two outs, Dante Rosenberg reached first on a fielding error and Sean Sullivan coaxed a walk. They were left stranded, though, as Shon Carson grounded out. Mizzou tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the inning. Jake Ivory and Josh Lester took back-to-back walks to start things off, then Dillon Everett hit a one-out single to center that loaded the bases. Kendall Keeton knocked a base hit of his own to bring in one run, then a wild pitch brought Lester across the dish to put the Tigers up 3-0. That also ended USC starter Colby Holmes’ day.

Missouri had an opportunity to really break things open in the fifth inning. Kelly doubled with one out, Case Munson and Ivory got booboos and free bases, which loaded the bags. The Tigers couldn’t bring anyone home, though, as a couple of ground balls and fielder’s choices ended the inning.

Mizzou scored their final run in the seventh inning. Kelly led off with a single, Ivory laced a base hit, and Lester walked to fill the bases with Tigers. Shane Segovia came through with a ground ball that was taken as a fielder’s choice but got the runner home to make it 4-0. Again Missouri could have really broken things open, but again, they couldn’t capitalize and left the bases loaded.

The Gamecocks’ bats were quiet all day, and they had four innings where they didn’t register a single hit. Any momentum they had from the first game seemed to have disappeared, and everyone simply seemed deflated. That wasn’t exactly an encouraging sign, and hopefully it won’t become a regular occurrence, especially now that conference play has started.

Holmes lasted just 1 1/3 innings and everything for him came in threes. He gave up three runs, three hits, three walks, and struck out three batters. He took the loss and drops to 1-2 on the season. Since contributing to the no-hitter against Albany, Holmes has struggled in his starts and will likely be dropped into a midweek role while he tries to right the ship. Adam Westmoreland pitched 4 2/3 innings and Patrick Sullivan handled the final two for Carolina.

Missouri starter Alec Rash worked 2 1/3 innings and allowed two hits, no runs, issued two walks, and didn’t tally any strikeouts. Keaton Steele pitched the final six innings and surrendered three hits, no runs, one walk, and notched seven strikeouts. He earned the win and improves to 2-0 on the season.

Curt Britt, pinch-hitting, was 1-for-1 at the plate and Sean Sullivan was 1-for-2 to lead the Gamecocks. Kelly was 3-for-5 with a run scored and a RBI to lead the Tigers.

Carolina is now 17-3 on the season and 2-1 in SEC play. The Yardcocks will be back in action Tuesday, when they take on The Citadel in Charleston. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. As always, follow @CockyCountry on Twitter for live updates and commentary.