Feb. 17, 2011

Game Notes in PDF Format

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina opens up the 2011 season this weekend with a three-game series vs. Santa Clara at Carolina Stadium. First pitch on Friday for the season opener is 3 p.m. with Saturday’s game also a 3 p.m. start and the Sunday series finale scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers

Friday
South Carolina Michael Roth (Jr. LHP) 2-1, 1.34 ERA, 40.1 IP, 10 BB, 35 SO
Santa Clara Brock Simon (So. RHP) 1-2, 7.79 ERA, 34.2 IP, 12 BB, 22 SO

Saturday
South Carolina Tyler Webb (So. LHP) 3-2, 3.96 ERA, 36.1 IP, 13 BB, 36 SO
Santa Clara Cory Hall (Sr. RHP) 3-0, 6.00 ERA, 24.0 IP, 8 BB, 21 SO

Sunday
South Carolina Adam Westmoreland (So. LHP) Missed 2010 season due to injury
or Steven Neff (Jr. LHP) 2-1, 4.11 ERA, 15.1 IP, 8 BB, 16 SO
Santa Clara Chris Mendoza (So. RHP) 4-6, 5.83 ERA, 66.1 IP, 23 BB, 33 SO
or Powell Fansler (Fr. LHP) N/A

PRE-GAME FESTIVITIES
Several pre-game festivities are planned for Opening Day on Friday at Carolina Stadium before the South Carolina and Santa Clara baseball game. Technical Sergeant Steve David, a recruiter in the South Carolina Air National Guard will perform the National Anthem with military representatives presenting the colors and the United States flag. The presentation will include a flyover by the United States Air Force. In addition, in recognition of the 2010 National Championship, there will be a brief video as well as the raising of the National Championship flag. 2010 All-America pitcher Blake Cooper will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and will be accompanied by former National Championship teammates Parker Bangs, Kyle Enders, Bobby Haney, Jeffery Jones, Whit Merrifield and Jordan Propst.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are still available for all three games of this weekend’s South Carolina-Santa Clara baseball series at Carolina Stadium. First pitch on Opening Day on Friday is 3 p.m. Saturday’s game will also start at 3 p.m. with Sunday’s first pitch set for 1:30 p.m. Fans may purchase tickets by calling the Gamecock Ticket Office at (803) 777-4274 or at the Colonial Life Arena Box Office. Reserved tickets are $10 with outfield/grandstand/standing room only tickets $8. Fans may also purchase their tickets on game day at the box office at Carolina Stadium. The box office will open on Friday at 1 p.m. at Carolina Stadium.

PARKING INFORMATION
For Opening Day on Feb. 18 and for next Friday’s game vs. Southern Illinois, parking in the business lots will be curtailed based on the specific lots. Parking in lots 6; 7; 9 will be relocated to lot #1 for those patrons arriving before 5:00PM. Parking in business lots 4 and 10 will be allowed beginning at noon. Limited parking will be allowed in lot 8 beginning at noon on the Williams St. side of the building. Some parking may be permissible on the Huger St. side as long as it does not interfere with the loading dock and surrounded area. Others in lot 8 may be directed into Lot 1 on the corner of Blossom, Williams and Wheat St.

For interested individuals, season parking passes for $280 are still available at the USC ticket office for Lot 1; lot 4; lot 7; lot 9; lot 10. To view a parking map of the area please visit gamecocksonline.com. Click on Fan Zone and then proceed to Gameday Parking information and view the Baseball Parking web page, which also has information concerning Shuttle services and handicapped parking information.

RADIO/LIVE VIDEO INFORMATION
Live video broadcast and live gametracker stats for all three games are available at GamecocksOnline.com. Friday and Sunday’s games will be available on the Gamecock Radio Network including flagship station, 107.5 FM “The Game.” Saturday’s entire game will be on WISW 1320 AM.

ROTH TO GET THE NOD IN THE OPENER
South Carolina junior LHP Michael Roth is scheduled to get the Opening Day start for the Gamecocks. The junior left-hander made 37 appearances for Carolina last year with two starts and compiled a 2-1 record with a 1.34 ERA. He hurled 40.1 innings with 35 strikeouts to 10 walks allowed.

Roth’s last two appearances of 2010 were both starts at the College World Series. The southpaw hurled a three-hit masterpiece in a 5-1 win over Clemson and then started in the 2-1 victory over UCLA that clinched the national title.

Roth is the first left-hander to earn the Opening Day start since 2003 when current Gamecock baseball academic advisor Steven Bondurant got the nod vs. Charleston Southern.

Opening Day Starters Under Head Coach Ray Tanner2011        Michael Roth (Jr. LHP)2010        Blake Cooper (Sr. RHP)2009        Sam Dyson (So. RHP)2008        Mike Cisco (Jr. RHP)2007        Harris Honeycutt (Jr. RHP)2006        Andrew Cruse (Jr. RHP)2005        Aaron Rawl (Sr. RHP)2004        Aaron Rawl (Jr. RHP)2003        Steven Bondurant (Sr. LHP)2002        David Marchbanks (So. LHP)2001        Kip Bouknight (Sr. RHP)2000        Kip Bouknight (Jr. RHP)1999        Kip Bouknight (So. RHP)1998        Brett Jodie (Jr. RHP)1997        Eddie Hoff (Jr. RHP)

South Carolina-Santa Clara Series
Series Record: Santa Clara leads 1-0
Series Began/Last Meeting: 1972/1972
Last Score: Santa Clara (5), South Carolina (4) (11 inn.)
SC Current Streak: L1