Keys to victory: South Carolina over Missouri
After a four-game road trip, South Carolina is back at Founders Park looking to start a new winning streak and get another SEC series off on the right foot.
The Gamecocks host Missouri Friday night in a clash of top 25 teams jockeying for early-season positioning in the SEC.
It’s a scrappy Missouri team coming off an exclamation point sweep over Tennessee, but here’s how the Gamecocks can take two of three against the Tigers.
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Get bottom of the order production
When South Carolina is clicking offensively, the Gamecocks are typically doing it when the bottom of the order is firing and giving the lineup.
The Gamecocks largely got that from the six through nine hitters against Georgia and it led to a big sweep.
South Carolina has an incredibly productive top-of-the-order, headlined by Braylen Wimmer, Cole Messina and Gavin Casas, but they don’t get the same kind of RBI chances if the bottom of the order isn’t getting on base.
Productive at-bats from guys like Talmadge LeCroy, Caleb Denny, Will Tippett and others will be imperative.
More of the same from Noah Hall
Regardless of what happens in game one, the Gamecocks need what they’ve been getting all season from Hall. That’s not only production but it’s length at the same time.
Hall’s coming off a complete game seven-inning domination of Georgia where he not only carved his way through the Bulldog lineup but gave the Gamecocks’ bullpen a game off.
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With the possibility of a doubleheader Sunday, Hall giving the Gamecocks a lengthy and productive outing is important to keep the bullpen fresh for whatever the stakes are in game three.
Then they will certainly take another productive outing against what is a tough and pesky Missouri offense.
Power, power and more power
South Carolina’s model to winning is pretty simple: hit for power and the chances of winning skyrocket. The Gamecocks have lost twice this season and in both games did not notch an extra-base hit.
When the Gamecocks don’t hit for power, then it’s an offense that has to rely on other things to work in its favor. South Carolina’s been good at getting on base, but getting big hits–doubles and home runs–have to be part of the DNA.
Playing at home, where South Carolina hitters have been insanely powerful, should help but South Carolina has to get those hits that get guys immediately into scoring position.
It’s easier said than done going against a Missouri pitching staff that is allowing teams to slash just .189/.294/.298 with just 14 home runs and 20 doubles allowed this season.
Continue pitching out of trouble
The Gamecocks’ pitching staff has been dominant this season and it’s in large part because the arms get better when teams are on base.
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South Carolina is allowing teams to hit just .213 with runners on base and .277 with runners in scoring position. In week one of SEC play Georgia hit just 5-for-33 (.152) with runners on and 3-for-20 (.150) with runners in scoring position.
That might not be able to replicate week to week, but South Carolina has to continue pitching out of more jams than it does.
Missouri isn’t a team that hits for a ton of power compared to South Carolina, slugging .526 with 29 home runs this season, so the Gamecocks are going to have to make sure the Tigers can’t string together hits.
Series details
Who: No. 11/14 South Carolina (20-2, 3-0 SEC) vs. No. 22/18 Missouri (17-3, 3-0 SEC)
When: Friday, March 24-Saturday, March 26
Game times: Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 4 p.m., Sunday, noon
How to watch: Friday and Sunday: SEC Network; Saturday: SEC Network Plus
How to listen: Gamecock Radio Network, 107.5 FM
Probable pitching
Friday: RHP Will Sanders (2-1, 4.18 ERA) vs. RHP Chandler Murphy (3-1, 3.04 ERA)
Saturday: RHP Noah Hall (4-0, 2.59 ERA) vs. LHP Ian Lohse (0-1, 3.00 ERA)
Sunday: RHP Jack Mahoney (3-0, 2.67 ERA) vs. TBA
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