April 8, 2004

Columbia, S.C. – Sixth ranked South Carolina (23-6, 4-5 SEC) returns home to Sarge Frye Field after an eight-game road swing as the Gamecocks host 17th ranked Florida (25-8, 5-4 SEC) in a three-game series beginning on Friday night. First pitch on Friday is set for 7 p.m. Saturday’s game will be televised on the Sunshine Network and is scheduled for 3 p.m. with Sunday’s finale set for 1:30 p.m.

Carolina has won four consecutive series vs. the Gators including last season when the Gamecocks defeated Florida in two of three games at Gainesville. South Carolina leads the all-time series 22-18.

The pitching matchups for the weekend are also set:

Friday
Florida: RHP Tommy Boss (2-1, 7.23 ERA), Jr.
South Carolina: RHP Billy Buckner (4-1, 3.28 ERA), Jr.

Saturday
Florida: RHP Bryan Ball (5-1, 3.74 ERA), So.
South Carolina: LHP Matt Campbell (5-1, 2.03 ERA), Jr.

Sunday
Florida: RHP Justin Hoyman (6-0, 2.87 ERA), Jr.
South Carolina: RHP Aaron Rawl (6-2, 3.83 ERA), Jr.

Eight members of the South Carolina baseball team are natives of Florida (Chad Blackwell, David Cash, Jason Fletcher, Tommy King, Zac McCamie, Kevin Melillo, Steve Pearce, Brendan Winn), the second highest total of players from a state on the South Carolina roster.

Live GAMETRACKER stats and live audio will be available for all three games at www.USCSPORTS.COM.