The Gameco*cks are looking to cement their postseason destination by winning the second half of the SEC schedule.
- John A. Carlos II
top story
From Rock Hill, S.C., David Cloninger covers Gameco*ck sports. He will not rest until he owns every great film and song ever recorded.Want the inside scoop on Gameco*ck athletics? Subscribe to Gameco*cks Now.
David Cloninger
COLUMBIA— It’s the proverbial glass.
South Carolina, in a season when the need to win big nearly meets the expectation, has lost three of its first five SEC series and has yo-yoed in and out of the Top 25. What was thought to be this season’s biggest question— pitching— has actually been pretty good. And what was thought to be the team’s biggest strength— hitting— has also been good, except when it comes to doing it with men on base.
That glass is half-empty.
South Carolina also has a winning record in the league (8-7) despite the series losses, and while a 26-11 record at this point doesn’t raise any eyebrows, it’s easily a postseason résumé. And with some help in the home stretch, that résumé could tab the Gameco*cks as a host team for an NCAA Regional.
That glass is half-full.
“We’re trying to find the best version of ourselves, and until we feel we find it, we’re going to keep trying things,” coach Mark Kingston said during a series win at Florida last weekend. “No question today it was a good look.”
He was specifically referring to a major lineup move that he made before starting the series with the Gators, which was to install catcher Cole Messina at leadoff. Normally a third or fourth hitter, Messina responded with a 6 for 13 weekend, walking four times, stroking two doubles and driving in three.
The Gameco*cks had been hitting the ball decently all season, but were chronically helpless with runners in scoring position. On Sunday at Florida, USC was a miserable 1 of 15 … but as has been said all year, nobody much cares if runs are still being scored.
USC put up nine in the Sunday loss, which followed 10 on Friday and another nine on Saturday. That rubs away a lot of the dirt from the first half of the SEC schedule, where USC lost a couple of one-run games because it couldn’t find a big hit, but also won a couple of one-run games.
South Carolina
Gameco*cks' Cardoso taken third in WNBA Draft
- By David Cloningerdcloninger@postandcourier.com
(The Gameco*cks took a one-run game on Saturday at Florida despite a bullpen meltdown that turned a 9-4 lead in the eighth into a 9-8 lead in the ninth with two men on and one out. But again, nobody minds so much because USC won)
As the focus turns to the final 15 games of SEC play, the program’s history frowns on a .500 finish but reality promotes a different tale. The Gameco*cks hosted a regional last year with a 16-13 SEC record.
Nobody aims for a barely over break-even finish, but it’s plenty good enough to get to the postseason. And South Carolina’s final 15 games, on paper, may leave folks saying that USC played extremely well to get to a 15- or 16-win SEC season.
First up is No. 2 Arkansas, which fell from No. 1 this week after dropping a series to Alabama. Then No. 3 Kentucky, the surprise of the league (and the country) with a 14-1 SEC record and leading the race for the regular-season championship. Those are back-to-back series, but both are at Founders Park.
Then there are series at Missouri and No. 4 Tennessee, with a home slate against Georgia. The Tigers are not good, but it’s on the road at a location where it’s been known to snow a day after a 70-degree game, and the Bulldogs’ 7-8 record in the league doesn’t reflect their 27-9 record overall.
USC’s hitting seems to be coming around, but the pitching rotation continues to switch other than Eli Jones in the Friday role. The Gameco*cks haven’t gotten consistency from their other starters, with many pitchers going to the bullpen, improving in a couple of relief appearances, then faltering once they got back on the starter’s mound.
South Carolina
Gameco*cks celebrate another championship with another parade
- By David Cloningerdcloninger@postandcourier.com
Tyler Pitzer, the hero of Saturday’s win at Florida, will be available after starting Tuesday’s win at The Citadel. Matthew Becker should still stick with a starting role although he was tattooed by the Gators on Sunday.
It’s a constant puzzle, one that Kingston and pitching coach Matt Williams put together every week. The hope is that with the hitting finding a solution with Messina batting first— and Dalton Reeves earning an everyday spot in the lineup with a red-hot weekend at Florida— the pitching joins it.
The Gameco*cks look at facing No. 2 and No. 3 in back-to-back weeks as an opportunity more than a challenge. Founders Park is at their disposal.
What will the glass look like after the next two weeks?
Follow David Cloninger on Twitter at @DCPandC
Want the latest updates on Gameco*ck athletics sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to Gameco*cks Now!
Next Game
Who: No. 2 Arkansas at No. 20 South Carolina
Where: Founders Park, Columbia
When: 7 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Sunday
Records: South Carolina 26-11, 8-7 SEC; Arkansas 31-5, 12-3
TV: SEC Network Plus
More information
- Gameco*cks' Lamont Paris picks up Cam Scott on the rebound
- Sizing up the Gameco*cks' QB competition as spring game looms
David Cloninger
From Rock Hill, S.C., David Cloninger covers Gameco*ck sports. He will not rest until he owns every great film and song ever recorded.Want the inside scoop on Gameco*ck athletics? Subscribe to Gameco*cks Now.
- Author email
Similar Stories
Spencer Rattler poised to break Gameco*cks' slump of drafted QBs
South Carolina hasn't had a quarterback drafted into the NFL since 1990. Talking with Todd Ellis, the last QB to have that honor, about his NFL journey and why it will be different for Spencer Rattler. Read moreSpencer Rattler poised to break Gameco*cks' slump of drafted QBs
Gameco*cks test new technology for 2024 in spring football game
South Carolina began using college football's newly allowed technology during its spring game: Helmet communication devices and sideline tablets. Read moreGameco*cks test new technology for 2024 in spring football game
Gameco*cks' spring football game: 4 takeaways
Takeaways from South Carolina's spring game Read moreGameco*cks' spring football game: 4 takeaways
Lamont Paris adds 7-footer to Gameco*cks' roster
South Carolina picked up a commitment from a former instate prospect on Sunday. Read moreLamont Paris adds 7-footer to Gameco*cks' roster
Editor's Picks
top story editor's pick
Global ocean temperatures are hitting record highs. What does that mean for SC estuaries?
top story editor's pick
Concert Countdown: 18 May concerts to catch in Charleston
top story editor's pick
James Beard Award-winning chef's new restaurant sits between luxury and comfort
top story editor's pick
New rental homes by nonprofit may be the silver lining in Chicora-area housing crisis
, Post and Courier, an Evening Post Publishing Newspaper Group. All rights reserved. | Terms of Sale | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy