COLUMBIA, S.C. - James Coates (Girard, Ohio) homered and Penn State received a strong outing from LHP Justin Hagenmen (Voorhees, N.J.), but a three-run third inning led No. 15 South Carolina past Penn State, 4-2, in non-conference baseball action Sunday afternoon at Founders Park.

Designated hitter John Jones went 3-for-3 with two RBIs for the day to pace South Carolina (8-0) at the plate, driving in the go-ahead runs in the third. He reached base in all 14 plate appearances during the series.

Penn State (2-5) got on the scoreboard quickly, as freshman Conlin Hughes (Holly Springs, N.C.) doubled on the game's first pitch and scored on an RBI-single by the next batter, right fielder Nick Riotto (Washington, Pa.

Riotto and Coates both enjoyed two hit games to lead the Lions at the plate.

A throwing error in the bottom half of the inning on an attempted double play allowed South Carolina to tie the game though at 1-1.

The Gamecocks went ahead in the third inning. A pair of singles and a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt loaded the bases with no outs, and Jones singled to right field to score the first two runs for a 3-1 lead. Catcher Chris Cullen then lifted a sacrifice fly for a 4-1 advantage.

Coates led off the fourth inning with a home run over the fence in right field. It was his first home run since the 2014 season.

The run would prove to be the final of the game though. RHP Reed Scott (1-0) earned the win for the Gamecocks in relief, entering with two outs in the fifth inning and holding the Nittany Lions to a walk with one strikeout in 3 1/3 innings.

For Penn State, Hagenman (1-1) suffered the loss working 5 2/3 innings, but did not allow a run after the third. He allowed the four runs (two earned) on seven hits and three walks with two strikeouts. RHP Jack Anderson (Evanston, Ill.) pitched the final 2 1/3 innings and allowed just one hit and struck out two.

The Nittany Lions had runners in scoring position in the fifth and ninth innings, but were unable to drive them home. RHP Josh Reagan (2) pitched the final inning to earn the save allowing a hit and striking out two.

Penn State will return to class before departing Friday for its annual spring break trip. The Nittany Lions will play at UNC Wilmington Mar. 5-7, at Duke Mar. 9 and the University of Richmond Tournament Mar. 11-13.