COLUMBIA - Missouri baseball dropped its opening game against South Carolina 4-3 on Friday at Taylor Stadium.
Chris Cornelius gave Missouri an early lead with an RBI triple in the bottom of the third inning. Cornelius scored on a wild pitch when Kirby McGuire struck out swinging.
Hunter Taylor tied the game for the Tigers with a two-RBI triple in the top of the fifth, and the Gamecocks took the lead on Jonah Bride's two-run home run in the top of the sixth.
Connor Brumfield got Missouri within one on an RBI double in the bottom of the eighth but the Tigers could not drive him in to tie it.
T.J. Sikkema (7-1) made his first career start after having been Missouri's closer most of the season. He pitched 52/3 innings and gave up three runs on four hits and a walk with five strikeouts. Cole Bartlett pitched the last 31/3 innings and gave up a run on three hits with four strikeouts.
Robbie Glendinning went 2-for-3 with a double.
Missouri (29-21, 9-16 Southeastern Conference) will try to tie the series against South Carolina at 2 p.m. today.