Matt Price ‘in the bullpen with an asterisk’ for series
In preparation for this weekend’s series at Vanderbilt, South Carolina coach Ray Tanner told his team about the last time the Gamecocks started 1-5 in conference play.
In 2003, USC rebounded from the slow SEC start and advanced to the postseason, eventually playing in the College World Series. With the Gamecocks 1-5 in the SEC this year, Tanner is hopeful they can right the ship, but it has to start in Nashville, Tenn.
“We’re not in a situation where we have to run the table, but [we] have to win some series,” Tanner said. “There’s eight of them left, and we have to win a bunch of them to get us in the position we want to be in. That’s perspective, but it’s also reality.”
Tanner realizes how important momentum is for young college players, emphasizing that the Gamecocks need to start winning SEC series now so they can put themselves in a position to get hot at the right time, like his 2003 team.
With that, Tanner has been encouraged by the group’s confidence right now. USC played well but has been challenged by an undefeated Kentucky squad and No. 1 Florida.
“I think there’s a little bit more confidence in the clubhouse than maybe I anticipated,” Tanner said. “I think our guys understand that we’re not a bad team. We didn’t win a couple of games in the league that we felt like we could have won or should have won but we didn’t, and I think that’s where they are. I think it’s going to come back to us.”
In the series loss to Florida, pitcher Matt Price was on the mound in Game 3 with the Gamecocks tied in the top of the ninth. He walked one batter and hit another before allowing a two-out triple that gave the Gators a lead they wouldn’t lose.
Though Tanner was disappointed with the loss, he said he still felt good about the player on the mound, which is why he still has Price in the “bullpen with an asterisk.” Price began the season as the Game 2 weekend starter.
“If we don’t maximize the opportunities for him in the bullpen, then there’s no reason for him to sit down there — he needs to come out,” Tanner said. “I chatted with him a little bit yesterday before practice. I was sitting in the stands prior to practice, and I called him over. I said, ‘Matt, what are you thinking?’ He started going through a scenario with me about the bullpen and opportunities. He explained it for about five minutes, and I said, ‘That’s exactly what I was thinking. Go back to what you were doing.’”
Price told Tanner he wanted to be able to decide some games at the end, and if that’s not the case, then he’ll pitch as a starter. Essentially, if the Gamecocks are deep into Friday’s game and it’s close, they’ll go to Price to finish, but if they don’t need him in that role, he might be an option to start Saturday.
Michael Roth and Colby Holmes will remain the starters for Game 1 and Game 3, respectively, but the Saturday starter is listed as to be determined. Tanner said Forrest Koumas, who started Game 2 against Florida, could be an option, but the staff has also looked at freshman Evan Beal for the role.
On the offensive end, Tanner hasn’t been pleased with how the Gamecocks have hit with runners in scoring position. He referenced hits with runners in scoring position that have been good hits, but have been good defensive plays by the opponent. Tanner has stressed to his team having more quality at-bats with runners on, but said there’s no precise formula to remedy it.
With eight SEC series left, Tanner doesn’t expect his team to run the table, just as he didn’t expect them to do that at the start of the season, but he said there is a priority on winning most of those conference games. Since Vanderbilt has just two conference wins, it finds itself in the same position.
“I think this weekend, it’s a super-regional atmosphere,” Tanner said. “It’s survive and let’s go. I’m sure they feel a little bit like we do in that you’ve got to get it done now. It’s OK to play that way as long as you don’t let your emotions become negative.”