The Daily Gamecock

Tolbert hitting big with new plate approach

As the South Carolina baseball season progresses, infielder LT Tolbert is becoming a master of the mental side of the game.

The sophomore leads the No. 6 Gamecocks with a .333 batting average and 31 hits thanks to a new mindset he’s adopted at the plate.

“I think [I’m] really just trying to have quality at bats,” Tolbert said Tuesday. “Focusing not really on the results, just my approach and the swings I’m putting on balls and just letting the results and hits fall where they may.”

Tolbert holds the Gamecocks’ longest active hitting streak over seven games. The Piedmont, South Carolina native tied a career-high with three RBIs in the Gamecocks’ 6-1 win over Furman Tuesday. In the past seven games, Tolbert batted .481 (13-of-27), totaling six RBIs and two runs.

South Carolina coach Chad Holbrook believes the infielder’s newfound confidence is the biggest contributor to his offensive breakthrough.

“He’s confident. Just swinging the bat, he’s aggressive,” Holbrook said. “He’s attacking the ball. He’s not on his heels at all. He’s getting a good pitch, putting a good swing on it. I know that sounds simplistic, but that’s just what he’s doing. His mindset is a lot different.” 

Last season, the IMG Academy product earned Freshman All-SEC honors, hitting .229 (44-for-192) with 32 runs scored in 50 starts. At the midway point of this season, Tolbert has almost passed his number of doubles last year. He’s hit five doubles so far, two more than last season, and needs just 13 more hits to match his freshman year total of 44.

While he’s yet to hit a home run, Tolbert has compiled 15 RBIs, 12 shy of his total last season. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Tolbert also leads the Gamecocks in multiple-hit games with seven two-hit games and three three-hit games.

"Obviously, when you do get a hit, you get confidence but I’ve really gotten more confidence just because I’m doing more to help this team win and when I’m doing that I feel more productive and it makes me feel like a better player,” Tolbert said. 

During his time at South Carolina, Tolbert has been known for his defensive talent. Switching between shortstop (22 starts) and second base (two starts), he’s yet to make a fielding error in 29 putouts. But with his new approach at the place, the team’s leading hitter is expected to do big things offensively as conference play continues.

“He’s in a little bit more of attack mode right now and I think it’s showing,” Holbrook said. “He’s got a lot more confidence right now than he did a year ago and he’s stronger and he’s probably better. All of those things factor in but I think a lot of it's what’s going on upstairs.” 


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