Baseball Hosts Wofford On Wednesday Night
May 2, 2017
Date: Wednesday May 3
First Pitch: 7 p.m.
Location: Columbia, S.C.
Stadium: Founders Park
Television/Video: SEC Network Plus (Burch Antley and Trey Dyson)
Radio: 107.5 The Game & The Gamecock Radio Network (Derek Scott and Tommy Moody)
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina (25-17) is back in action on Wednesday hosting Wofford (24-23) at Founders Park. First pitch is 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on SEC Network Plus and can be heard on the Gamecock IMG Network including flagship station, 107.5 FM, “The Game.”
RANKINGS
South Carolina is ranked No. 25 in the nation this week’s Collegiate Baseball Top 30 as well as No. 32 in this week’s NCAA RPI released on Monday.
RECAP
South Carolina is 25-17 and 10-11 in the SEC. South Carolina has played 25 games this season against teams ranked in the Top 25, the second-highest total in the SEC with 11 wins vs. Top 25 teams on the year, the fourth-highest win total in the conference as well. The Gamecocks have played 23 of 42 games this year vs. RPI Top 50 teams, that ties for third-highest among the 14 SEC schools also. The Gamecocks are fourth in the SEC Eastern Division and 10th in the league with nine SEC games left.
TIGHT GAMES
South Carolina has only lost four 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 21 SEC games have been decided by three runs or less this year. The Gamecocks are 4-9 in those contests.
TO ARMS
The South Carolina pitching staff ranks third in the SEC in earned run average. The Gamecocks own a 3.62 team ERA with 176 runs allowed, 149 earned, on 322 hits in 381.2 innings pitched. The Gamecocks have struck out 402 batters to 158 walks. Opponents are batting .229 against the Gamecocks. South Carolina ranks fifth in the SEC in opposing batting average as well as fifth in strikeouts. South Carolina’s 3.62 ERA in SEC games is third in the conference as well. The Gamecocks have 182 strikeouts in 191.2 innings during conference play.
AT THE PLATE AND ON THE FIELD
South Carolina is hitting .266 (380-for-1427) for the season with a .347 on-base percentage and a .400 slugging percentage. The Gamecocks have 36 homers on the year. South Carolina has equaled or out-hit its opponent in 29 of 42 games this year.
South Carolina is fielding .977 for the season with 18 games without an error. South Carolina is 13-5 when not committing an error. South Carolina ranks fifth in the SEC in fielding.
SUPERLATIVES
South Carolina is 19-7 on the year when scoring first in a game and 19-4 when entering the seventh inning with a lead and 24-3 when entering the ninth inning with the lead. The Gamecocks are 14-2 when scoring six or more runs and 24-8 when allowing five runs or less. South Carolina is 12-13 in games decided by three runs or less. South Carolina is 10-3 in five-plus run games.
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 .361 average (22-for-61) in 21 league games with all six of his homers vs. SEC teams as well and a team-high 21 RBIs in those league games. Cortes is the only freshman in the SEC with six or more homers in conference play. He ranks third in the SEC in conference contests with a .738 slugging mark in league play, fourth in RBIs, tied for sixth in homers and is also ninth in batting average. Cortes hit .364 (4-for-11) in the Kentucky series with a homer, two doubles and four RBIs. For the season, Cortes is batting .304 (31-for-102) with 15 runs scored, six homers and 25 RBIs and a .559 slugging percentage.
THE CROWE SHOW
Junior right-hander Wil Crowe is 4-4 with a 3.56 ERA in 11 starts this year. He has allowed 36 runs, 27 earned, on 68 hits in 68.1 innings with 63 strikeouts to 22 walks and opponents batting .255 against him. Crowe ranks ninth in the SEC in innings pitched and 14th in the league in strikeouts.
Crowe’s last win came in a 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.
THAT’S TOLBERT
Sophomore infielder LT Tolbert leads the Gamecocks in hitting with a .310 batting average (44-for-142) with 19 runs scored, six doubles, a triple, three homers and 28 RBIs. Tolbert was 2-for-4 with a run scored in the 9-4 loss to Kentucky on Sunday.
HILL ON THE MOUND
Sophomore right-hander Adam Hill earned the win in Saturday’s 5-1 victory vs. Kentucky. Hill allowed just one run on one hit in five-plus innings of work with five strikeouts and three walks. Hill is now 3-3 on the year with a 2.30 ERA in 10 starts. He has struck out 62 to 28 walks with opponents batting .196 against him in 54.2 innings pitched. Hill ranks fifth in the SEC in opposing batting average as well as ninth in ERA.
Hill’s 42 strikeouts in league play ranks 11th in the league with his .215 SEC opponents batting average is 13th best as well.
CATCHING UP WITH CULLEN
Sophomore catcher Chris Cullen is batting .276 (29-for-105) for the season with five homers, 18 RBIs and 19 runs scored. He is at a .377 on-base percentage and a .467 slugging mark. Cullen owns a .273 average (15-for-55) in league play.
Cullen had a key RBI single in the 4-2 win at Florida and added a two-run homer in the 7-5 loss vs. the Gators.
REAGAN FROM THE LEFT
Senior left-hander Josh Reagan had a pair of scoreless outings out of the bullpen for the Gamecocks vs. Kentucky. He pitched 3.1 scoreless innings of relief vs. the Wildcats. Reagan is 4-1 with a 2.58 ERA in a team-high 20 relief appearances. He has 37 strikeouts in 38.1 innings with opponents batting .219 against him. Reagan has 78 career appearances and is closing in on the Top 10 in school history.
GREAT SCOTT
Senior right-hander Reed Scott pitched 2.2 scoreless innings of relief with just three hits allowed, two walks and two strikeouts in Sunday’s 9-4 loss to Kentucky. Scott is 1-2 with a 3.28 ERA in 17 relief appearances with two saves as well. He has struck out 31 batters in 35.2 innings pitched. Scott owns 82 career appearances, eighth-highest in school history.
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
82 Reed Scott 2014-17
81 Kip Bouknight 1998-01
79 Brian Beatson 1987-90
—–
78 Josh Reagan 2014-17
JOHNSON BRINGS THE HEAT
Junior right-hander Tyler Johnson pitched 1.2 perfect innings of relief in the 5-1 win vs. Kentucky to earn his seventh save of the year. Johnson struck out a batter as well in the contest. For the season he is 0-1 with a 2.51 ERA in 11 relief appearances with his seven saves tied for fifth in the league. He has struck out 23 batters in 14.1 innings pitched with opponents batting .218 against him. Johnson now owns 16 career saves, 10th highest 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
16 Tyler Johnson 2015-Present
ROSS IS THE BOSS
Senior first baseman Ross Grosvenor made his first two career starts this weekend vs. Kentucky and came through at the plate going 3-for-8 (.375) with his first career homer as well as three RBIs. Grosvenor drove in a run in all three games with a RBI double on Friday, a RBI single in the 5-1 win and the homer in Sunday’s game.
OLSON PROVIDES A SPARK
Sophomore outfielder Jacob Olson ranks second on the team in hitting with a .306 average (48-for-157) with 28 runs scored and 23 RBIs. Olson showed off a strong arm this weekend with a pair of assists from the outfield in Sunday’s game, tying an individual school record for an outfielder for assists in a game. Olson has six assists from the outfield this season.
HOGAN HITS
Freshman first baseman Riley Hogan was South Carolina’s top hitter in the Kentucky series going 4-for-8 (.500) at the plate with a double and a run scored. Hogan has played in 13 games with nine starts and is batting .281 (9-for-32) with three runs scored, two doubles and a pair of RBIs.
MR. JONES
Junior catcher John Jones made a pair of starts behind the plate this week and hit a two-run homer in Sunday’s 9-4 loss to Kentucky.
JONAH WITH A JOLT
Junior infielder Jonah Bride is batting .278 (40-for-144) for the season with a .387 on-base percentage with 20 walks, seven hit by pitches to 15 strikeouts. He has scored 19 runs on the year and driven in 19 as well. Bride has eight doubles on the year and has also tripled twice and homered twice. Bride is the only Gamecock this year to have started all 40 games this year.
BOWERS BRINGS IT
Senior right-hander Colie Bowers is 3-1 on the year with three saves and a 2.13 ERA in 17 relief appearances. He has 28 strikeouts in 25.1 innings with opponents batting .151 against him.
TJ LEADS IT OFF
Sophomore outfielder TJ Hopkins for the season is batting .277 (38-for-137) with 14 RBIs and 29 runs scored to go along with eight doubles, a pair of triples and four homers. Hopkins was 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored in the 5-1 win vs. Kentucky.
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 .255 (37-for-145) with 21 runs scored and 25 RBIs. His eight multi-RBI games is tied for the team lead.
LATTA LIGHTNING
Freshman right-hander Colby Lee is 1-0 with a 3.94 ERA in nine appearances. He has 14 strikeouts in 16.0 innings with opponents batting .217 against him.
STOKES HEATS UP
Junior infielder Madison Stokes is tied for the team lead with eight doubles on the year. He is hitting .221 (31-for-140) with 14 RBIs and 27 runs scored. Stokes is fielding .953 with eight errors at shortstop.
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 .230 (14-for-61) with seven runs scored and three RBIs as well as four doubles.
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.
THE MORRIS CODE
Freshman right-hander Cody Morris is 2-1 with a 3.43 ERA in six starts. He has 27 strikeouts to four walks in 21.0 innings with opponents batting .215 against him.
PARKE PROVIDES RELIEF
Junior left-hander John Parke made his second career start in the 9-4 loss to Kentucky. He allowed four runs on five hits in 3.1 innings of work.
BLAIR
Sophomore outfielder Danny Blair has played in 35 games with 20 starts. He has four stolen bases and three sacrifice hits at the plate.
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 14 strikeouts in 11.0 innings in eight appearances for the Gamecocks.
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
