Gamecocks face struggling Vols
In one way, this weekend will be different for South Carolina baseball.
In another, it will be the same as always.
“It’ll be like every weekend in this league,” said USC coach Ray Tanner of the Gamecocks’ three-game series with SEC rival Tennessee, which begins tonight in Knoxville. “It’s very difficult. You better play some good baseball if you expect to win.”
Usually, SEC series run from Friday to Sunday. However, due to the league’s new television contract with ESPN, one series each week will run Thursday to Saturday, with the Thursday night games broadcast to a national audience on ESPNU, providing the conference with valuable exposure. Tanner said he doesn’t think the quicker-than-usual turnaround will hurt No. 3 USC (23-5, 7-2 SEC), adding that if anything, it’ll feel “a little bit weird” to not have a game on Sunday.
“I don’t expect any issues from that at all,” said Tanner of playing a day early. “It’s an ESPNU nationally televised game. I know our guys are excited about that.”
Added Tanner, “It’s a complement to the entire SEC that we’re the Thursday night package. That’s exciting for our conference.”
The Volunteers (19-10, 2-7) have struggled since conference play began, losing five of their last seven games including a three-game sweep at No. 4 Florida this weekend in which UT was outscored by a combined 23-3 margin. Tanner said despite Tennessee’s recent woes, the Gamecocks have to take the Vols seriously.
“I know they’ve had a rough go of it in the first nine league games, but they’ve got some pretty good numbers offensively,” Tanner said. “They’ve got some older guys from a leadership standpoint.”
The Gamecocks will arrive on Rocky Top a bit banged up. Outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr.’s status remains unknown, as the junior is day-to-day after injuring his back earlier this week while lifting weights.
“It really is up in the air,” said Tanner on whether or not Bradley will play this weekend. “We’ll just have to see.”
Tanner did have positive reports on his other injured outfielder, Adam Matthews. The former White Knoll High School star has been out with a hamstring injury for over a week now, but he appears to be getting close to a return.
“Matthews, to me, looks really good in his rehab,” Tanner said. “That being said, he hasn’t played yet.
“I’ve watched him train; I’ve watched him work in the outfield a little bit. He looks good. But he hasn’t said he can play yet.”
Left-hander Steven Neff (shoulder tendonitis) will travel to Knoxville. It is unknown if he will play against the Vols, but Tanner said he feels he should be available, albeit not in a starting role.
“Neff had a bullpen [Tuesday]. He felt much better,” Tanner said. “He seemed optimistic that he could be available this weekend.”
Another USC southpaw, Tyler Webb, will also make the trip. Webb has been battling a muscle strain in his shoulder and was scheduled to throw a bullpen session last night after the team arrived in Knoxville. Tanner said he was hopeful to know more about Webb’s condition after then.