(Photos by Stephen Ironside; Graphic by Matt Watson)

Arkansas’ third inning rally that produced four runs to tie with game with South Carolina was not enough as the Gamecocks prevailed 5-4.

“I was really pleased with our team today,” coach Mike Larabee said. “They showed a lot of fight and I think we played with a big heart.”

The outlook for Arkansas (11-34, 2-20 SEC) was bleak after the Gamecocks scored four runs on four hits in the first inning for the second game in a row against the Razorbacks.

After the rough start for Arkansas, senior pitcher Layne McGuirt was taken out of the game and was replaced by fellow senior Kim Jones.

“Layne obviously didn’t have it today, and I thought Kim Jones came in and gave us a really good chance to win,” Larabee said. “South Carolina got the momentum early, however.”

McGuirt allowed three runs on two hits, including a solo home run by the second batter of the game, right fielder Hannah Milks of South Carolina.

Jones finished the game pitching and allowed two runs on eight hits.  She had six strike outs on the day.

The Razorbacks rallied in the third inning with back to back home runs, the first of which was a three-run homer over the left field fence from sophomore Courtney Breault to put the Razorbacks within one point of the Gamecocks.

“It had been a long time coming, it has been a struggle,” Breault said of the home run.

The second home run came from freshman Amanda Geile and tied the game 4-4.

Both home runs came after the last out was revoked by the umpire because of an illegal pitch from South Carolina pitcher Audrey Broyles.

The Arkansas defense would not hold off the Gamecocks, however.

South Carolina took the lead in the top of the fourth after a base hit from first baseman Molly Brossart, scoring the go ahead run for the Gamecocks.

Breault had a chance to win the game for the Razorbacks when she came to the plate in the bottom of the seventh with two outs on the board and bases loaded.

She hit a shot to left field that had the potential to head for the fence, however, the ball fell to the right fielder of South Carolina on the edge of the warning track.

“I wanted it, but I missed the ball.  I knew it would stay in, but was hoping it would be in the gap,” Breault said. “It has just been a really rough season win wise, but we can pull together and we can win.”

The Razorbacks continue Southeastern Conference play next weekend in a three-game series against Georgia in Fayetteville.