Baseball Hosts North Florida to Continue Homestand

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The University of South Carolina baseball team continues its homestand by hosting North Florida in a midweek matchup this Tuesday (Feb. 25) at 4 p.m. at Founders Park. The game will be streamed on SEC Network Plus. All games also will be broadcast on The Game 107.5 FM with Derek Scott and Tommy Moody on the call. Carolina is coming off a 1-2 weekend against Northwestern, falling in extra innings twice. Wes Clarke had two home runs and seven RBI in Saturday’s 12-3 win over the Wildcats.
 
PARKING INFORMATION
For the fourth straight season, shuttle parking for the University of South Carolina baseball season will be operational at the Key Road Gravel Lot (1105 Key Road) and in Lot B of the Colonial Life Arena parking lot. Shuttles will begin running two hours prior to game time.
 
We strongly recommend that fans use the baseball shuttle from Key Road to Founders Park over the CLA shuttle for the convenience, spacious parking (650 spaces) and less congestion than at the arena. Please remember that at the arena, shuttle parking will be limited to 50 spaces because of the student demand for parking in this area. There is a high student demand Monday through Thursday that lasts until 7 p.m. because of classes.
 
For GPS purposes, the address for the Key Road Gravel Lot is 1105 Key Road, Columbia, SC 29201.
 
BUSINESS LOTS DURING AFTERNOON GAMES 
Business lot parking passes will be honored in Lot 1 ONLY for the Feb. 25 afternoon baseball games based on availability. The businesses at 405 (Lot 9) and 401 (Lot 10) Huger Street request that you begin parking at 5:30 p.m. on weekdays. Other business lots open at 5 p.m. on weekdays. Parking is allowed in Lot 8 (the Cregger lot) on the Williams St. side for the afternoon early games.
 
GAME DAY PARKING INFORMATION (including public game day lots (PGDL: $10/$5 per game))
Weekday 4 p.m. Games (Feb. 25)
Game time: 4 p.m.
Stadium opens: 2:30 p.m.
Business Lots Open: 5/5:30 p.m.
Lot 1, STDM, HDG PDGL Open: 1 p.m.
Bus Shuttle for Patrons: 2 p.m.

Weekdays (Feb. 28 and After)
Game Time: 7 p.m.
Stadium Opens: 5:30 p.m.
Business Lots Open: 5/5:30 p.m.
Lot 1, STDM, HDG PGDL Open: 4 p.m.
Bus Shuttle for Patrons: 5 p.m.
 
Saturday
Game Time: 4 p.m.
Stadium Opens: 2:30 p.m.
Business Lots Open: 1 p.m.
Lot 1, STDM, HDG PGDL Open: 1 p.m.
Bus Shuttle for Patrons: 2 p.m.

Sunday
Game Time: 1:30 p.m.
Stadium Opens: 12 p.m.
Business Lots Open: 10 a.m.
Lot 1, STDM, HDG PGDL Open: 10 a.m.
Bus Shuttle for Patrons: 11 a.m.
 
PROBABLE PITCHING ROTATION
Tuesday
South Carolina Andrew Peters (Jr. RHP) 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO
UNF Tony Roca (Fr. LHP) 0-0, 6.00 ERA, 0-0, 6.00 ERA, 3.0 IP, 0 BB, 3 K
  
SCOUTING NORTH FLORIDA
The Ospreys were swept at home against Rutgers this past weekend. In its opening weekend, UNF took 2-of-3 games from VMI. Grant Grodi has nine hits on the year for the Ospreys, while Chris Matthias and Blake Marabell have three doubles apiece. On the mound, Brandon Reitz has eight strikeouts in 9.2 innings pitched. North Florida will start left Tony Roca on Tuesday. He has three strikeouts in three innings pitched.

SERIES VS. NORTH FLORIDA
Carolina and North Florida have meet just once on the diamond. Carolina won 5-2 on Feb. 20, 2018. TJ Hopkins had three hits on the day while Noah Campbell and Jacob Olson had two hits apiece. Sawyer Bridges earned the win in relief, while John Gilreath struck out four in a four-inning start.
 
CLARKE HAS A GRAND DAY VS. NORTHWESTERN
Wes Clarke belted a pair of home runs in Saturday’s 12-3 win over Northwestern, a three-run shot and a grand slam. It was the first grand slam by a Gamecock since LT Tolbert in the 2018 Fayetteville Super Regional against Arkansas. Clarke now has four home runs and 13 RBI on the year in the seven contests, as he is tied for the conference lead in both categories.

STARTERS ARE QUALITY
Carolina pitching struck out 31 batters in 23 innings on the weekend with the three starting pitchers striking out 24 while walking just one. Mlodzinski went seven innings, tying a career high, allowing six hits and no runs while striking out three and walking one. Kerry pitched five innings, striking out 12 and allowing five hits and three runs with no walks. Jordan allowed just two hits in a rain-shortened five-inning start, striking out nine with no walks in the 5-0 win.

SEC LEADERS
As a team, Carolina is ninth in batting average, seventh in ERA and second in fielding percentage in the league. Wes Clarke is tied for the conference lead with four home runs and 13 RBI. Clarke also is sixth with a .905 slugging percentage. Noah Campbell leads the SEC with eight steals. On the mound, Brannon Jordan is tied for sixth with 18 strikeouts and tied for fifth with a .111 opponent’s batting average. Carmen Mlodzinski leads the SEC with 14.0 innings pitched and Graham Lawson is tied for the SEC lead with four appearances.
 
UP NEXT
The Gamecocks face Clemson in the annual in-state series this weekend. The series starts at Founders Park on Friday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. Game two is at Segra Park, home of the Columbia Fireflies, on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 3 p.m. The series concludes Sunday, March 1 at Clemson with a 2 p.m. first pitch.