The margin for error tends to be slim when you’re on the road against the regional host, and unfortunately NC State’s pitching staff couldn’t get out of its own way against South Carolina.
Matt Willadsen struggled with control for a lot of the night, issuing five walks over four innings and change. One of those walks came right before Braylen Wimmer went yard in the third, staking the Gamecocks to a 2-0 lead.
In the fifth, Willadsen struck out the leadoff man, then picked off Will McGillis after he doubled. With two down and nobody on, State was in good shape, and then Willadsen walked the next two batters.