South Carolina baseball: three things we know, two questions, on prediction
The Gamecocks are off to one of their best starts in SEC play since joining the league, and a fun but daunting stretch starts next week.
As South Carolina moves on from another series win–this one at Mississippi State–here are three things we know, who questions and one prediction before LSU strides into town.
Three things we know
We’re going to learn a lot about this team over the next three weeks
Yes, the Gamecocks are off to one of their best starts ever. And they’ve shown the ability to beat anyone on a given day. But maybe the toughest stretch of the season awaits.
[Become an NIL supporter of your South Carolina Gamecocks!]
South Carolina has three series against teams in the D1Baseball top five over the next three weeks, headlined by top-ranked LSU rolling into Founders Park.
The Gamecocks follow it up with a road trip to No. 4 Vanderbilt and hosting No. 3 Florida. South Carolina has shown its prowess and deserves to be in the top 10 in every poll. But a lot of answers will show over the next three weeks.
It’s not fair to expect the Gamecocks to go undefeated, or even escape with three straight series wins. But a strong showing in those night games could catapult the Gamecocks into a national host conversation.
The Gamecocks will be in the hosting conversation until the end
South Carolina undoubtedly deserves it, but this is also a math equation too. The Gamecocks already have eight league wins with 21 games left to play in the SEC. Last year, Auburn was a regional host at 16 wins and Florida hosted at 15.
That would mean they would need to finish just 8-13 over their final seven series to almost essentially lock up a spot playing at home the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
[Subscribe for free to Gamecock Central’s YouTube page!]
Anything over that would not only solidify it but also get the Gamecocks into contention for a top-eight seed.
Chris Veach might be South Carolina’s best bullpen option
Coming into the season, Veach wasn’t heavily talked about and for good reason. He was coming off Tommy John surgery and hadn’t really thrown in almost a year. With heralded, proven names on staff already, Veach wasn’t someone that came to the forefront immediately.
But he’s been great, and is making a case as one of South Carolina’s best bullets out of the pen.
He’s sporting just a 2.25 ERA in 10 appearances (12 innings) this season with 17 strikeouts to just four walks while opponents hit .146 against him. In five SEC appearances (6.2 innings), he’s allowed just one run on four hits while striking out 10 to one walk.
James Hicks has been great this season as well and is in contention there. But Veach has been nearly shut down this season.
Two questions
How will South Carolina’s offense fair with two regular contributors banged up?
South Carolina’s offense is certainly looking the part through 29 games, slashing .299/.439/.582 as a team. In SEC play the Gamecocks are hitting .284/.410/.545, but a tough row to hoe looms.
Those top five opponents are on the docket and the Gamecocks will have to do it without Will McGillis and potentially Carson Hornung. McGillis is out for at least a month dealing with a broken arm Hornung has a slight fracture in his foot that held him out of the Mississippi State series.
McGillis’ numbers were certainly better than Hornung’s from an average and power standpoint. But Hornung was getting on base this year at a .500 clip before his injury. How South Carolina finds ways to score without both of those guys, especially against elite pitching, will be interesting.
What’s next for Noah Hall and Caleb Denny?
Noah Hall has been elite for South Carolina, easily the best pitcher on staff through the first six weeks of the season. But he had a rough outing this week, giving up five earned and not making it out of the third inning.
[Get South Carolina baseball news and analysis via email]
Mark Kingston mentioned to Derek Scott Hall’s back locked up on him, which contributed to some of that. But South Carolina is going to need Hall at his A-game against the Tigers. That means this is a big week to get his back right.
Denny has really struggled to start SEC play, slashing .152/.263/.182 with 16 strikeouts in 33 at-bats. He did have a big hit Saturday with an RBI double but is still scuffling.
He’s still one of South Carolina’s most experienced hitters with a track record of hitting, but he’s hit a wall. With a few bats banged up, the Gamecocks have to find a way to get him going.
One prediction
Will Sanders will start Thursday night against Paul Skenes
Eli Jones got the start Thursday night–tossing four innings of one-run ball–but South Carolina will turn back to the ace heading into the season. Sanders got his week off to hit the reset button, a deep breath for someone who’s struggled to find his form this season.
With No. 1 LSU and top-ranked prospect Paul Skenes on the bump for the Tigers Thursday, it makes sense to give Sanders the ball on nearly 13 days of rest.
Discuss South Carolina baseball on The Insiders Forum!
The post South Carolina baseball: three things we know, two questions, on prediction appeared first on On3.
