Baseball Hosts Liberty On Wednesday Night
May 10, 2017
Date: Wednesday May 10
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 (28-19) is back in action on Wednesday night hosting Liberty (29-17). First pitch at Founders Park is set for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on SEC Network Plus can be heard on the Gamecock IMG Network including flagship station, 107.5 FM, “The Game.”
Reminder to fans with season tickets attending Wednesday’s game vs. Liberty – use your Sunday Michigan State ticket for entry.
RANKINGS
South Carolina is ranked No. 30 in the nation this week’s Collegiate Baseball Top 30 as well as No. 26 in this week’s NCAA RPI released on Monday.
RECAP
South Carolina is 28-19 and 11-13 in the SEC. South Carolina has played 28 games this season against teams ranked in the Top 25, the second-highest total in the SEC with 12 wins vs. Top 25 teams on the year, the fourth-highest win total in the conference as well.
The Gamecocks have played 25 of 46 games this year vs. RPI Top 50 teams with 10 Top 50 RPI wins. The 10 RPI Top 50 wins ties for seventh-most among SEC schools. The Gamecocks are fourth in the SEC Eastern Division and tied for ninth in the league with six SEC games remaining.
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUP
Wednesday
South Carolina – Colby Lee (Fr. RHP) 2-0, 4.34 ERA, 18.2 IP, 8 BB, 17 SO
Liberty – Zach Clinton (So. RHP) 1-1, 2.53 ERA, 21.1 IP, 9 BB, 18 SO
TIGHT GAMES
South Carolina has only lost four games this year by four or more runs. South Carolina is 14-15 in games decided by three runs or less. 16 of South Carolina’s 24 SEC games have been decided by three runs or less this year. The Gamecocks are 5-11 in those contests.
TO ARMS
The South Carolina pitching staff ranks sixth in the SEC in earned run average. The Gamecocks own a 3.59 team ERA with 198 runs allowed, 170 earned, on 367 hits in 426.0 innings pitched. The Gamecocks have struck out 436 batters to 176 walks. Opponents are batting .233 against the Gamecocks. South Carolina ranks sixth in the SEC in opposing batting average as well as tied for fifth in strikeouts.
South Carolina’s 3.76 ERA in SEC games is fourth in the conference as well. The Gamecocks have 195 strikeouts in 218.0 innings during conference play.
AT THE PLATE AND ON THE FIELD
South Carolina is hitting .265 (420-for-1582) for the season with a .348 on-base percentage and a .400 slugging percentage. The Gamecocks have 41 homers on the year. South Carolina has equaled or out-hit its opponent in 31 of 47 games this year.
South Carolina is fielding .976 for the season with 20 games without an error. South Carolina is 14-6 when not committing an error. South Carolina ranks fifth in the SEC in fielding.
SUPERLATIVES
South Carolina is 22-9 on the year when scoring first in a game and 21-5 when entering the seventh inning with a lead and 27-3 when entering the ninth inning with the lead. The Gamecocks are 15-3 when scoring six or more runs and 27-9 when allowing five runs or less. South Carolina is 14-15 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 be South Carolina’s top bat in SEC play. Cortes leads the Gamecocks in hitting in conference contests with a .324 average (24-for-74) with 12 runs scored, three doubles, a triple, six homers and 21 RBIs. Cortes was 2-for-4 with a run scored in Sunday’s 7-6 loss at LSU. For the season, Cortes is hitting .276 (33-for-121) with 16 runs scored and 27 RBIs.
THE CROWE SHOW
Junior right-hander Wil Crowe had a no-decision in Friday’s 3-2 win at LSU. He allowed two runs on five hits in 4.1 innings with three walks. Crowe is 4-4 in 12 starts with a 3.59 ERA. He has 63 strikeouts to 25 walks in 72.2 innings with opponents batting .257 against him.
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 average (49-for-158) with 20 runs scored, six doubles, a triple, three homers and 31 RBIs. Tolbert hit .333 (3-for-9) in the LSU series with three walks. He was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs in Sunday’s 7-6 loss at LSU. Tolbert is batting .299 (26-for-87) in SEC play with 10 runs scored and 18 RBIs in league contests.
HILL ON THE MOUND
Sophomore right-hander Adam Hill suffered the loss in Saturday’s 5-2 loss at LSU. He allowed five runs on six hits in six innings with three walks and six strikeouts. For the season, Hill is 3-4 with a 2.82 ERA in 11 starts. He has struck out 68 in 60.2 innings pitched with opponents batting .203 against him. Hill is 3-2 in SEC play with a conference ERA of 3.32 for the year with 48 strikeouts in 43.1 innings pitched in league play. Conference opponents are batting .222 against him.
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 was effective in relief in a pair of games at LSU. Reagan earned the win in relief in Friday’s 3-2 win at LSU with three scoreless innings of work with a pair of strikeouts. He followed that up with a solid 3.2 innings of relief in Sunday’s 7-6 loss allowing just one run on five hits.
For the season, Reagan leads the Gamecocks in wins with a 5-1 record and a 2.40 ERA in a team-high 22 appearances with two saves. He has struck out 39 in 45.0 innings with opponents batting .225 against him. Four of Reagan’s five wins have come in SEC play.
GREAT SCOTT
Sunday’s game at LSU marked senior right-hander Reed Scott’s 84th career appearance and ninth career start for the Gamecocks. It was his first start since April 21, 2015 at Furman and his second career start vs. a SEC opponent. Scott’s only other SEC start was vs. Georgia on March 28, 2015. Scott allowed four runs on seven hits in four-plus innings of work.
Scott is 1-2 on the year with a 3.86 ERA and a pair of saves in 19 relief appearances. He has 35 strikeouts in 42.0 innings with opponents batting .259 against him.
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
84 Reed Scott 2014-17
81 Kip Bouknight 1998-01
80 Josh Reagan 2014-17
JOHNSON BRINGS THE HEAT
Junior right-hander Tyler Johnson earned his eighth save of the season in Friday’s 3-2 win at LSU. Johnson pitched 1.2 scoreless innings of relief in the victory. Johnson is 0-2 with a 3.12 ERA in 13 relief appearances. He has 25 strikeouts in 17.1 innings with opponents batting .250 against him. Johnson now owns 17 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
17 Tyler Johnson 2015-Present
DYNAMIC DESTINO
Junior outfielder/designated hitter Alex Destino tied a season-high in hits going 3-for-4 with a solo homer in Tuesday’s 4-3 win over Presbyterian. He was South Carolina’s top hitter in the LSU series hitting .500 (3-for-6) with a pair of runs scored, a three-run homer in Sunday’s 7-6 loss and four RBIs. Destino also had a two-run homer in last Wednesday’s 9-5 win vs. Wofford.
He is batting .277 (44-for-159) for the season with a team-high eight homers and a team-high 32 RBIs as well. Destino owns a team-high 10 multi-RBI games as well.
OLSON PROVIDES A SPARK
Sophomore outfielder Jacob Olson registered his seventh assist from the outfield in the 7-6 loss at LSU. His top game last week was in the 9-5 win vs. Wofford when he went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored. Olson went 2-for-3 with a run scored in the 4-3 win over Presbyterian.
Olson is batting .303 (54-for-178) with 31 runs scored, nine doubles, a triple, five homers and 23 RBIs with a .449 slugging percentage.
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 hit .417 (5-for-12) in the LSU series with three runs scored, a double and a RBI. Hopkins is third on the team in hitting with a .288 average (44-for-153) with 33 runs scored, 10 doubles, two triples, four homers and 15 RBIs. His top game at LSU was in Sunday’s 7-6 loss as he went 3-for-5 with a pair of runs scored and a double.
ROSS IS THE BOSS
Senior first baseman Ross Grosvenor made his first two career starts in the Kentucky series 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. Grosvenor then followed that up with a solo homer in a 9-5 win vs. Wofford.
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 followed that up with his first career homer and went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in Wednesday’s 9-5 victory over Wofford. Hogan is batting .262 (11-for-42) with five runs scored and four RBIs.
MR. JONES
Junior catcher John Jones made a pair of starts behind the plate last week vs. Kentucky and hit a two-run homer in Sunday’s 9-4 loss to Kentucky.
JONAH WITH A JOLT
Junior third baseman Jonah Bride is fifth on the team in hitting with a .276 average (45-for-163) with 24 runs scored, nine doubles, two triples, two homers and 21 RBIs. Bride is the only Gamecock this year to have started all 47 games this year.
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 drove in three runs in the LSU series including a key two-run single in the 3-2 win at LSU. Stokes went 2-for-3 in the 4-3 win vs. Presbyterian.
He is batting .234 (36-for-154) for the season with 18 runs scored, nine doubles, three homers and 17 RBIs on the year.
ON BASE WITH WILLIAMS
Junior first baseman Matt Williams leads South Carolina in on-base percentage with a .395 mark and owns a team-high 24 walks and has also been hit by six pitches.
THERE’S Hunter Taylor
Junior catcher Hunter Taylor is hitting .217 (15-for-69) 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 3.34 ERA in eight starts. He has 38 strikeouts to seven walks in 29.2 innings with opponents batting .223 against him. Morris tied a career-high with eight strikeouts and allowed just two runs on one hit in four innings in the 9-5 win over Wofford.
PARKE PROVIDES RELIEF
Junior left-hander John Parke earned the win in relief in the 4-3 victory vs. Presbyterian. Parke worked a career-high 4.1 innings and allowed just one run on two hits wiht no walks and four strikeouts. He is 2-1 with a save and a 5.98 ERA in 10 appearances. He has struck out 14 batters in 18.1 innings.
BLAIR
Sophomore outfielder Danny Blair has played in 37 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
