A week after pulling an unlikely upset over Pepperdine, the Bears (1-6) traveled to the University of South Carolina (11-4) to take on another perennial power. The Gamecocks, ranked 19th by Baseball America heading into the weekend series, handed the Bears three straight losses. But despite losing all three games, Head Coach Marek Drabinski remained positive.
"We battled hard each game," Drabinski said. "We hit very well, and we fielded well, and I believe our relievers and starters did well for the most part. Even though we are now 1-6, I believe we have taken a lot from each game. I don't know of any other team in the Northeast who has played as tough a schedule as us."
After the opening game on Friday was washed away, the Bears faced the Gamecocks in a doubleheader on Saturday. In the first game, the Gamecocks took an early lead in the bottom of the second and never looked back as they were able to knock out Brown starting pitcher Mark Gormley '11 after only three innings.
The Bears' offense was stifled throughout the game, mustering only four hits. Shortstop Tyler Graham '12 led the way for the Bears with two hits and two RBI.
In the second game, the Bears jumped out to an early 6-2 lead, thanks to a pair of two-run homers by first baseman Mike DiBiase '12 and right fielder Josh Feit '11.
But the Gamecocks answered with seven runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 9-6 lead. The two teams traded runs in the later innings, and the Gamecocks prevailed, 10-7.
Kevin Carlow '13 pitched effectively in relief over 4 1/3 innings to keep the Bears within reach throughout the game.
On Sunday, the Bears suffered another tough loss to the Gamecocks after forcing extra innings. Brown starter Rob Wilcox '10 turned in a superb effort on the mound, lasting 6 1/3 innings while giving up only four earned runs.
Left fielder Pete Greskoff '11 led the Bears offensively, crushing his second home run of the year. Center fielder Chris Tanabe '10 also contributed with a huge RBI single in the top of the seventh as part of a two-run inning, giving the Bears a 4-3 advantage.
But South Carolina answered with two runs of its own to take a 5-4 lead. The Bears rallied in the ninth, thanks to a clutch RBI single off the bat of second baseman Ryan Zrenda '11. But the Gamecocks pushed across a run in the bottom of the tenth on a walk-off single to right field.
Despite the losses, the Bears said they believe the way they battled bodes well for the future.
"We know that USC is a very talented team, and the way that we stuck with them shows the strength of our team," catcher Matt Colantonio '11 wrote in an e-mail to The Herald. "We are really looking forward to our spring break trip and the start of the Ivy League season."
The Bears return to action on the Thursday at Holy Cross before heading to Alabama for a four-game series against Troy.
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