For the first time in 10 attempts, the Virginia Cavaliers dropped their opening game of an NCAA Regional. South Carolina used a big sixth inning to take a 4-3 lead, and the Hoos were unable to answer over the final three frames. Virginia led 3-1 heading into the third inning, but South Carolina got to starter Andrew Abbott and relief pitcher Kyle Whitten to the tune of three runs.
Virginia will now have to face the loser of No. 1 seed Old Dominion and No. 4 seed Jacksonville Saturday at noon.
South Carolina got out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first thanks to a home run from the Gamecocks’ home run leader, Wes Clarke.