Top 25 Matchup At Founders Park As Carolina Hosts Kentucky This Weekend
April 27, 2017
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina (24-15, 9-9 SEC) returns home to host Kentucky (29-13, 12-6 SEC) in a three-game series beginning on Friday night at 7 p.m. Saturday’s contest is set for 4 p.m. with Sunday’s series finale at 1:30 p.m. All three games will be broadcast on SEC Network Plus can be heard on the Gamecock IMG Network including flagship station, 107.5 FM, “The Game.”
The Gamecocks will also recognize the 1977 National Runner-Up team before Saturday’s game at Founders Park. The 1977 team went 43-12-1 and made South Carolina’s 2nd appearance at the College World Series in Omaha. Members of the 1977 team will be honored in a pregame ceremony on the field.
RANKINGS
South Carolina is ranked in four of the six major polls this week. The Gamecocks are No. 21 by Collegiate Baseball and in the USA Today coaches poll, No. 24 by Perfect Game and No. 27 by the NCBWA.
Kentucky enters this weekend’s series a consensus top-10 team in the nation. The Wildcats are No. 6 by D1Baseball, No. 7 by the NCBWA and USA Today coaches poll, No. 8 by Perfect Game, No. 9 by Collegiate Baseball and No. 10 by Baseball America.
RECAP
South Carolina is 24-15 and 9-9 in the SEC. The Gamecocks are tied for third in the SEC Eastern Division and tied for eighth overall in the league.
PROBABLE WEEKEND ROTATION
Friday
South Carolina – Wil Crowe (Jr. RHP) 4-3, 3.25 ERA, 63.2 IP, 19 BB, 59 SO
Kentucky – Sean Hjelle (So. RHP) 6-2, 4.02 ERA, 62.2 IP, 16 BB, 57 SO
Saturday
South Carolina – Adam Hill (So. RHP) 2-3, 2.36 ERA, 49.2 IP, 25 BB, 57 SO
Kentucky -Zach Logue (Jr. LHP) 5-3, 4.20 ERA, 60.0 IP, 13 BB, 55 SO
Sunday
South Carolina — TBA
Kentucky – Justin Lewis (So. RHP) 6-2, 2.82 ERA, 60.2 IP, 14 BB, 45 SO
TIGHT GAMES
South Carolina has only lost two games this year by four or more runs. South Carolina is 12-13 in games decided by three runs or less. 13 of South Carolina’s 18 SEC games have been decided by three runs or less this year. The Gamecocks are 4-9 in those contests.
TO ARMS
South Carolina pitchers continue to be among the league leaders in the SEC. The Gamecocks own a 3.17 team ERA with 147 runs allowed, 125 earned, on 147 hits in 354.2 innings pitched. The Gamecocks have struck out 382 batters to 138 walks. Opponents are batting .221 against the Gamecocks. South Carolina ranks second in the SEC in opposing batting average as well as third in ERA and strikeouts.
South Carolina’s 2.90 ERA in SEC games leads the conference as well. The Gamecocks have 162 strikeouts in 164.2 innings during conference play.
AT THE PLATE AND ON THE FIELD
South Carolina is hitting .269 (357-for-1326) for the season with a .351 on-base percentage and a .401 slugging percentage. The Gamecocks have 33 homers on the year. South Carolina has equaled or out-hit its opponent in 28 of 39 games this year.
South Carolina is fielding .978 for the season with 18 games without an error. South Carolina is 13-5 when not committing an error. South Carolina ranks third in the SEC in fielding.
SUPERLATIVES
South Carolina is 18-6 on the year when scoring first in a game and 18-4 when entering the seventh inning with a lead and 23-3 when entering the ninth inning with the lead. The Gamecocks are 14-2 when scoring six or more runs and 23-8 when allowing five runs or less. South Carolina is 12-13 in games decided by three runs or less. South Carolina is 10-1 in five-plus run games.
SCHMIDT TO MISS REMAINDER OF 2017 SEASON WITH RIGHT ELBOW INJURY
South Carolina junior right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt will miss the remainder of the 2017 season after an MRI revealed a torn ulnar collateral ligament to his right elbow. Surgery date has yet to be determined.
“This is obviously tough news for Clarke and everyone associated with our baseball program,” said South Carolina head coach Chad Holbrook. “Clarke is a special kid with a bright future in front of him and our program will be with him every step of the way. He has been an incredible representative of our university and baseball program and I’m sure he will make a full recovery. I have no doubt he will achieve his goal and dream of pitching in the Major Leagues.”
Schmidt went 4-1 with a 1.34 ERA in nine starts. He struck out 70 batters to 18 walks in 60.1 innings with opponents batting only .1984 against him. In SEC games he was 1-2 with a 1.57 ERA in five starts with 39 strikeouts in 34.1 innings and opponents batting .191 against him.
Schmidt was one of 40 players in the nation named to USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List. Presented in partnership with the Rod Dedeaux Foundation, the 40th Golden Spikes Award will be presented on June 29 in Los Angeles to the top amateur baseball player in the country.
CORTES IN A GROOVE
Freshman outfielder Carlos Cortes continues to swing a hot bat for the Gamecocks. Cortes is South Carolina’s top hitter in SEC play with a .360 average (18-for-50) in 18 league games with all five of his homers vs. SEC teams as well and a team-high 17 RBIs in those league games. Cortes hit a key two-run homer in the 4-2 win on Friday at Florida. Cortes is hitting .341 (14-for-41) with four homers in the last 10 games. For the season he is batting .297 (27-for-91) with 13 runs scored, four doubles, a triple, five homers and 21 RBIs. Cortes has a .720 slugging percentage in SEC games, third-best in the entire SEC with his .360 conference average ranking him 10th best. His 17 RBIs in league play is tied for fifth-best in the league also.
THE CROWE SHOW
Junior right-hander Wil Crowe earned the win in Friday’s 4-2 victory at Florida. Crowe allowed just one run on six hits in seven-plus innings of work with no walks and three strikeouts. Crowe is 4-3 with a 3.25 ERA in 10 starts this year. He has allowed 29 runs, 23 earned, on 58 hits in 63.2 innings with 59 strikeouts to 19 walks and opponents batting .238 against him. Crowe ranks sixth in the SEC in innings pitched and 13th in the league in strikeouts.
THAT’S TOLBERT
Sophomore infielder LT Tolbert continues to lead the Gamecocks in hitting with a .325 average (40-for-123) on the year. He has 16 runs scored and a team-high 27 RBIs as well. Tolbert hit .333 (4-for-12) in the Mississippi State series with three runs batted in. He was 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the 6-1 win over Mississippi State. Tolbert is hitting at a .322 clip in conference play. He has driven in 15 runs in conference play as well. That is also the most RBIs among Gamecock players vs. SEC teams and ranks tied for fifth in the SEC.
HILL ON THE MOUND
Sophomore right-hander Adam Hill allowed two runs on four hits in 3.1 innings with four walks and two strikeouts in a start vs. the Gators. Hill is 2-3 with a 2.36 ERA in nine starts. He has allowed 15 runs, 13 earned, on 36 hits in 49.2 innings with 57 strikeouts to 25 walks and opponents batting .208 against him. Hill is seventh-best in the SEC in opposing batting average as well as eighth in ERA. Hill’s 37 strikeouts vs. SEC teams is tied for ninth-best with a 2.78 league ERA 14th-best in the conference.
CATCHING UP WITH CULLEN
Sophomore catcher Chris Cullen had a key RBI single in the 4-2 win at Florida and added a two-run homer in Saturday’s 7-5 loss vs. the Gators. Cullen is batting .282 (29-for-103) for the season with five homers, 18 RBIs and 19 runs scored. He is at a .378 on-base percentage and a .476 slugging mark. Cullen owns a .283 average (15-for-53) in league play.
REAGAN FROM THE LEFT
Senior left-hander Josh Reagan made a pair of relief appearances at Florida and allowed three runs on three hits in 5.1 innings of work. Reagan is 4-1 with a 2.83 ERA with two saves in a team-high 18 relief appearances. Reagan has allowed 14 runs, 11 earned, on 29 hits with 34 strikeouts to 10 walks and opponents batting .230 against him.
DYNAMIC DESTINO
Junior outfielder Alex Destino had a season-high three-hit performance with a run scored in the 7-4 loss to Mississippi State. Destino is batting .257 (37-for-144) with 21 runs scored and 25 RBIs.
BOWERS BRINGS IT
Senior right-hander Colie Bowers pitched 1.2 scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win in last Tuesday’s 3-2 win vs. Davidson. Bowers is 3-1 on the year with three saves and a 1.48 ERA in 16 relief appearances. He has 28 strikeouts in 24.1 innings with opponents batting .145 against him.
OLSON PROVIDES A SPARK
Sophomore outfielder Jacob Olson is South Carolina’s leading hitter. Olson is batting .315 (46-for-146) with 28 runs scored, seven doubles, a triple, five homers and 23 RBIs. He has a .375 on-base percentage to go along with a team-best .479 slugging percentage. Olson is also hitting .328 (22-for-67) in SEC play with a team-high 14 runs scored in league games. Olson tied a career-high with three hits in Saturday’s 7-5 loss to Florida. Olson was South Carolina’s leading hitter at Florida with a .417 average (5-for-12) in the series. Olson’s 14 multi-hit games is tied for the team-high as well.
TJ LEADS IT OFF
Sophomore outfielder TJ Hopkins is hitting .370 (10-for-27) in the last 10 games played with four runs scored, two doubles and a RBI. Hopkins for the season is batting .280 (35-for-125) with 14 RBIs and 28 runs scored to go along with seven doubles, a pair of triples and four homers. Hopkins was 2-for-5 with two runs scored in the 7-5 loss at Florida. He also had a hit and a run scored in the 4-2 win vs. the Gators.
THE VERSATILE LAWSON
Sophomore right-hander Graham Lawson pitched 1.1 scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts in the 7-6 loss to the Commodores. Lawson has 14 strikeouts in 16.2 innings with opponents batting .226 against him. He is 2-0 on the year.
JONAH WITH A JOLT
Junior infielder Jonah Bride hit .250 (2-for-8) with a team-high three walks in the Florida series. Bride is batting .289 (39-for-135) for the season with a .388 on-base percentage with 17 walks, six hit by pitches to 13 strikeouts. He has scored 18 runs on the year and driven in 19 as well. Bride leads the Gamecocks with eight doubles on the year and has also tripled twice and homered twice. Bride is the only Gamecock this year to have started all 39 games this year.
JOHNSON BRINGS THE HEAT
Junior right-hander Tyler Johnson picked up saves in both Carolina wins this past week. Johnson allowed just one hit and struck out three batters in an inning of work in the 3-2 win vs. Davidson. He also allowed just one run on two hits in two innings with two walks and two strikeouts in the 4-2 win at Florida. Johnson has six saves on the year and a 2.31 ERA in nine relief appearances. He has 20 strikeouts to four walks in 11.2 innings with opponents batting .205 against him.
Johnson has moved into the career top-10 at South Carolina with his save at Florida. He is now tied for 10th in school history.
Top 10 Career Saves in South Carolina History
43 Matt Price 2009-12
30 Rob Mosser 1990-93
28 Brian Beatson 1987-90
22 Blake Taylor 2001-02
22 Lee Gronkiewicz 1999-01
20 Tyler Webb 2010-13
20 Chad Blackwell 2004
19 Jason Pomar 1996-99
18 Scott Barber 1998-00
15 Tyler Johnson 2015-Present
15 Joel Seddon 2012-14
15 Bobby Kish 1979-81
15 Craig Ross 1993-95
LATTA LIGHTNING
Freshman right-hander Colby Lee pitched 3.1 scoreless innings of relief in the 6-1 win vs. Furman and followed that up with 0.2 scoreless in the 5-3 loss to Vanderbilt. Lee is 1-0 with a 2.30 ERA in eight appearances. He has 14 strikeouts in 15.2 innings with opponents batting .207 against him.
STOKES HEATS UP
Junior infielder Madison Stokes is hitting .290 (9-for-31) in the last 10 games played. He has seven doubles, 13 RBIs and 16 runs scored in 36 starts.
GREAT SCOTT
Senior right-hander Reed Scott is now tied for eighth all-time in career appearances for the Gamecocks with 81 in his four-year career with the Gamecocks. Scott pitched a scoreless inning of relief in the 1-0 loss at Florida. For the season he is 1-2 with a 3.55 ERA in 16 relief appearances. Scott also has two saves. He has struck out 29 batters in 33.0 innings pitched.
Top 10 Career Appearances in South Carolina History
110 Tyler Webb 2010-12
102 Matt Price 2009-12
94 Michael Roth 2009-12
88 Rob Mosser 1990-93
87 Aaron Rawl 2002-05
87 Jason Pomar 1996-99
86 Jamie Poston 1997-00
81 Reed Scott 2014-17
81 Kip Bouknight 1998-01
79 Brian Beatson 1987-90
ON BASE WITH WILLIAMS
Junior first baseman Matt Williams leads South Carolina in on-base percentage with a .399 mark and owns a team-high 23 walks and has also been hit by six pitches.
THERE’S Hunter Taylor
Junior catcher Hunter Taylor is hitting .246 (15-for-57) with seven runs scored and three RBIs as well as four doubles and a .333 on-base percentage.
HOGAN HITS
Freshman first baseman Riley Hogan got the start at designated hitter and delivered for the Gamecocks in a 4-2 win vs. Alabama going 2-for-3 with a RBI double and reaching base in three of four plate appearances. Hogan is hitting .208 (5-for-24) with two runs scored and two RBI.
ROW WITH IT
Junior infielder Justin Row hit a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning as Carolina defeated Alabama 6-5. Row is hitting .250 (7-for-28) with four RBI and five runs scored.
THE MORRIS CODE
Freshman right-hander Cody Morris is 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in five starts. He has 22 strikeouts to four walks in 17.1 innings with opponents batting .219 against him.
PARKE PROVIDES RELIEF
Junior left-hander John Parke has a win and a save in two his last five relief appearances. Parke has struck out nine in 8.2 innings.
STABLE BRIDGES
Freshman right-hander Sawyer Bridges pitched a scoreless inning of relief with a strikeout in the 15-1 win over The Citadel. Bridges has 11 strikeouts in eight innings in seven appearances for the Gamecocks.
BLAIR
Sophomore outfielder Danny Blair was 1-for-2 with a RBI and a run scored in the 4-2 win over Alabama on Sunday. He has four stolen bases on the year and a .333 on-base percentage. Blair has played in 34 games with 20 starts.
SOUTH CAROLINA 2017 HONOR ROLL
Danny Blair
Rated No. 105 best outfielder in the nation by D1Baseball
Rated No. 126 best prospect in the nation for 2018 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Jonah Bride
Rated No. 25 best third baseman in the nation by D1Baseball (March 22)
Carlos Cortes
Rated No. 1 freshman in the SEC by Baseball America
Rated No. 1 impact freshman in the SEC by D1Baseball
Rated No. 4 best freshman in the nation by D1Baseball
Rated No. 13 best freshman in the nation by Perfect Game
Rated No. 14 best prospect in the SEC for 2018 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Rated No. 14 best prospect in the SEC for 2018 MLB Draft by Perfect Game
Rated No. 37 best prospect in the nation for 2018 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Rated No. 53 best outfielder in the nation by D1Baseball
Chris Cullen
Named to Johnny Bench Award Watch List
Rated No. 7 best prospect in the SEC for 2018 MLB Draft by Baseball America
Rated No. 11 best prospect in the SEC for 2018 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Rated No. 22 best catcher in the nation by D1Baseball (March 22)
Rated No. 22 best prospect in the nation for 2018 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Rated No. 85 best overall sophomore in the nation by Perfect Game
Wil Crowe
Named to USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List
Preseason All-America 3rd Team (Baseball America)
Rated No. 6 best prospect in the SEC for 2017 MLB Draft by Baseball America
Rated No. 7 best prospect in the SEC for 2017 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Rated No. 9 best prospect in the SEC for 2017 MLB Draft by Perfect Game
Rated No. 16 best college prospect in the nation for 2017 MLB Draft by D1Baseball (Midseason/April 12)
Rated No. 17 best overall junior in the nation by Perfect Game
Rated No. 19 best overall prospect in the nation for 2017 MLB Draft by Baseball America (March 23)
Rated No. 23 best starting pitcher in the nation by D1Baseball (March 23)
Rated No. 36 best overall prospect in the nation for 2017 MLB Draft by MLB.com
Alex Destino
Preseason All-America 2nd Team (NCBWA)
Preseason All-SEC Team (Perfect Game)
Preseason All-SEC 2nd Team (SEC Coaches Poll)
Rated No. 16 best prospect in the SEC for 2017 MLB Draft by Perfect Game
Rated No. 19 best outfielder in the nation by D1Baseball
Rated No. 21 best prospect in the SEC for 2017 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Rated No. 45 best overall junior in the nation by Perfect Game
Rated No. 83 best college prospect in the nation for 2017 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Adam Hill
Rated No. 6 best prospect in the SEC for 2018 MLB Draft by Baseball America
Rated No. 6 best prospect in the SEC for 2018 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Rated No. 11 best prospect in the nation for 2018 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Rated No. 15 best prospect in the SEC for 2018 MLB Draft by Perfect Game
Rated No. 34 best starting pitcher in the nation by D1Baseball (March 23)
Rated No. 49 best overall sophomore in the nation by Perfect Game
TJ Hopkins
Rated No. 31 best prospect in the SEC for 2018 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Rated No. 36 best outfielder in the nation by D1Baseball
Rated No. 91 best prospect in the nation for 2018 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Tyler Johnson
Named to NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List
Preseason All-America 1st Team (D1Baseball, NCBWA, Perfect Game)
Preseason All-SEC First Team (SEC Coaches Poll)
Preseason All-SEC Team (Perfect Game)
Rated No. 1 reliever in the nation by D1Baseball
Rated No. 12 best prospect in the SEC for 2017 MLB Draft by Perfect Game
Rated No. 13 best prospect in the SEC for 2017 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Rated No. 14 best prospect in the SEC for 2017 MLB Draft by Baseball America
Rated No. 26 best college prospect in the nation for 2017 MLB Draft by D1Baseball (Midseason/April 12)
Rated No. 30 best overall junior in the nation by Perfect Game
Cody Morris
Rated No. 16 impact freshman in the SEC by D1Baseball
Rated No. 23 best prospect in the SEC for 2018 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Rated No. 32 best freshman in the nation by D1Baseball
Rated No. 62 best prospect in the nation for 2018 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Rated No. 159 best starting pitcher in the nation by D1Baseball
Brandon Murray
Rated No. 209 best college prospect in the nation for 2017 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Jacob Olson
Rated No. 34 best prospect in the SEC for 2018 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Rated No. 101 best prospect in the nation for 2018 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
John Parke
Rated No. 303 best college prospect in the nation for 2017 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Josh Reagan
Named to NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List
Preseason All-America 3rd Team (Collegiate Baseball)
Rated No. 12 best reliever in the nation by D1Baseball
Clarke Schmidt
Named to USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Award Preseason & Midseason Watch List
Preseason All-America 1st Team (NCBWA)
Preseason All-America 2nd Team (Collegiate Baseball, D1Baseball, Perfect Game)
Rated No. 8 best prospect in the SEC for 2017 MLB Draft by Baseball America
Rated No. 9 best prospect in the SEC for 2017 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Rated No. 10 best prospect in the SEC for 2017 MLB Draft by Perfect Game
Rated No. 10 best starting pitcher in the nation by D1Baseball (March 23)
Rated No. 12 best college prospect in the nation for 2017 MLB Draft by D1Baseball (Midseason/April 12)
Rated No. 22 best overall junior in the nation by Perfect Game
Rated No. 25 best overall prospect in the nation for 2017 MLB Draft by Baseball America (March 23)
Rated No. 35 best overall prospect in the nation for 2017 MLB Draft by MLB.com
Recognized as having the “Best Control” of all pitchers in the SEC by Baseball America
Madison Stokes
Rated No. 21 best shortstop in the nation by D1Baseball (Preseason)
Rated No. 188 best college prospect in the nation for 2017 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
LT Tolbert
Rated No. 25 best second baseman in the nation by D1Baseball
Rated No. 35 best prospect in the SEC for 2018 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
Rated No. 103 best prospect in the nation for 2018 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
