FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas did everything right in the early innings Friday night.
The Razorbacks jumped on South Carolina starter Michael Roth, tagging one of the Southeastern Conference’s best pitchers for six runs. Meanwhile, Arkansas starter Ryne Stanek was cruising on the mound, blowing through a solid lineup through three innings.
But the success didn’t last.
South Carolina overcame its biggest deficit of the season, erasing Arkansas’ lead to stun the Razorbacks 8-6 in 10 innings in front of an announced crowd of 8,011 in Baum Stadium.
Center fielder Evan Marzilli delivered the game-winning hit with an RBI double in the 10th, which scored shortstop Joey Pankake from second base. The Gamecocks added another run on an infield single from Grayson Greiner, which scored Marzilli from third base.
Then, closer Matt Price came out of the bullpen to retire the Razorbacks (33-14, 11-11 in Southeastern Conference) and wrap up the Gamecocks’ 12th straight conference win.
“It’s tough winning on Friday,” Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said of his team, which fell to 2-6 in SEC series openers this season. “We keep thinking it’s going to turn around. “We’ve been in a lot of Friday night games, lost some tight ones, and this was another one.”