COLUMBIA, S.C.-Two runs in the first innings were all South Carolina would need as the 12th-ranked LSU softball team’s rally came up short, 2-0, on Sunday at Beckham Field in Southeastern Conference play.

With the loss, the Tigers fell to 17-5 overall and 1-2 in the SEC, losing the series to South Carolina. The Gamecocks improved to 20-10 on the season and 5-1 in league play.

LSU put the runners on base in scoring position over the last two innings, but could not get the timely hit they needed to push the runs across. Despite outhitting South Carolina, 5-4, the Tigers stranded five runners on base in the game, including two on third base and three in scoring position.

“We fought hard, but just couldn’t get the timely hits,” said LSU head coach Yvette Girouard. “The team never gave up, but we just couldn’t seem to get the hit when we needed it. We hit the ball hard all day, but most of the time, it was right at someone. Stephanie Hill came just a few inches from tying the game but the ball was foul. That was kind of the way the day went for us.” LSU missed a second opportunity in the top of the sixth. Lauren Castle led off the inning with a double to left center. An infield ground out by Vanessa Soto moved Castle to third. Hill came less than a foot from a game-tying home run but the ball curved just foul as it left the park. She then flew out to right field for the second out of the inning. Leslie Klein then grounded out to second to end the inning.

Garcia started and took the loss for LSU to fall to 5-1 on the season. She allowed two runs on four hits with a walk and a strikeout in four innings. Turner came on in relief in the fifth and threw two innings of no-hit softball, allowing just one walk with a strikeout.

Kate Pouliot earned the win for South Carolina to improve to 5-3 on the season. In the complete game shutout, she allowed five hits and a walk, while striking out two.

The Tigers returned to action on Wednesday against nationally ranked Baylor at home. LSU will face former Tiger head coach Glenn Moore at 7 p.m. in Tiger Park.