Before the 2016 season began, hopes were high in the Missouri baseball clubhouse. The pitching duo of senior Reggie McClain and sophomore Tanner Houck seemed poised for a dominant season. Sophomore third baseman Shane Benes was finally healthy. Junior shortstop Ryan Howard was coming off a strong summer playing for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.

Coach Tim Jamieson’s roster looked bound for a playoff berth.

But baseball is not played on paper, and high hopes don’t promise high rankings. After a 5–1 loss to No. 8 South Carolina on Saturday, Missouri (20–20, 4–13) faces a nearly impossible path to the NCAA Tournament. Instead, the team finds itself with the worst record in the Southeastern Conference.

Houck pitched decently against the Gamecocks. After allowing two earned runs in the first inning, the sophomore settled in. He threw six innings on the day, giving up three runs (only two earned) and striking out five batters.

The Tigers’ only run of the day came on a Jake Ring single in the fifth. The junior outfielder drove in freshman second baseman Ian Nelson.

For the second straight game, errors plagued Missouri. A passed ball by sophomore catcher Brett Bond allowed Jonah Bride to score for the Gamecocks in the fourth inning. Then, in the seventh inning, an errant throw from senior first baseman Zach Lavy put South Carolina runners on second and third. Two batters later, an Alex Destino single scored both runs to make the score 5–1 Gamecocks.

Ring went 2-for-5 for the Tigers in the loss.

Jamieson’s team will play at South Carolina again at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

_Edited by Nancy Coleman | ncoleman@themaneater.com_