2008 Woodie Awards
USC hosts Asheville
After strong summer showing, Godwin earns first start of season against Bulldogs
Patrick Morris
Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: Sports
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Ranked No. 3 nationally in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll and No. 10 in the Baseball America poll, the Gamecocks are coming off of a series victory against No. 24 East Carolina Pirates, winning two out of three games last weekend, including a thrilling 11th inning 7-6 victory on Sunday afternoon.
UNC-Asheville also took two out of three in their opening weekend series against the Presbyterian College Blue Hose.
The Gamecocks and the Bulldogs faced each other last season, with Carolina cruising to a 9-2 victory. The Gamecocks lead the all-time series 5-0.
The Gamecocks were led offensively over the weekend by junior first baseman Justin Smoak, who hit two home runs and drove in five runs against the Pirates and by junior shortstop Reese Havens, who also hit two home runs and had six RBIs last weekend, garnering SEC Player of the Week honors.
"We will not be tinkering with the lineup," head coach Ray Tanner said after his success this weekend. Tanner expects the 1-5 hitters to be set for the rest of the year.
Senior pitcher Nick Godwin will take the mound for the Gamecocks. Godwin didn't get much playing time last year, but Tanner said he simply didn't get many opportunities. Tanner expects Godwin to pitch well and to continue his good play from the summer leagues. Tanner believes Godwin can be a valuable fifth man in the rotation.
The Gamecocks are coming into the series averaging 11 runs a game, while the Asheville Bulldogs are only averaging a little over 5 per game. Asheville's pitching staff did a nice job over the weekend, allowing just two runs per contest, including an opening game shutout against Presbyterian. The Gamecocks staff was roughed up a bit by the Pirates, allowing eight runs per game, coming mostly in a 13-4 loss in the second game of a Saturday double-header.
The Bulldogs are led offensively by junior catcher Reed Kreiser, who comes into the game with a .545 batting average, 2 home runs and 4 RBIs. They also have center fielder Kevin Mattison who led the Big South in triples the past two years and Elliott Arrington, the school's career hits leader. The Bulldogs have not released who their starter would be against the Gamecocks.
Tanner will be seeking his 898th career win today, setting up a possible 900th win against rival Clemson this weekend.
"We're not concerned with the weekend until after tomorrow," Tanner said of the looming Clemson series.
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