Softball looks to improve SEC play
In virtually every sport, SEC play is a grind. South Carolina's softball team is finding that out the hard way after getting off to a sluggish 2-6 start to league play.
The Gamecocks will look to get back on track this weekend at home against LSU (20-8, 4-1 SEC). USC has had a tough schedule to start out with, but head coach Beverly Smith knows her team can compete with those elite teams.
“I think we showed that at Florida,” Smith said. “It was a 1-0 ball game, and we were one hit away from tying the game. Our offense all season long has been excellent. We have faced good pitching all season and have been successful, so we just have to refocus on that.”
The offense has kept the Gamecocks in almost every game this season, as the team has an impressive .316 batting average. In addition, the team averages around eight hits per game and scores 5.5 runs per contest.
However, USC’s strength became its weakness Wednesday against North Carolina. The team had the bases loaded in the first inning but did not manage to score. USC went on to lose that game 8-0 in five innings. The team did not have a hit in the game.
“I felt like we didn’t get off the bus,” Smith said. “We had an opportunity to capitalize in the first inning with the bases loaded and one out, but (pitcher) Lori Spingola struck the next two hitters out. I really feel like that if we would have scored in the first inning, the game may have been different for us. Then they came up in the bottom of the inning and had the bases loaded and hit a grand slam, so they were able to capitalize on their opportunities.”
Therefore, a good start to the games against LSU is a necessity to erase the Chapel Hill memory. It won’t be easy, though, as LSU is led by junior pitcher, Rachele Fico, who has a 0.74 ERA this year in 85.2 innings pitched. She has 10 complete games pitched in 13 starts, including seven shutouts.
“Their pitching staff is excellent,” Smith said. “They’ve got two No. 1–type pitchers. The good thing about (Wednesday) against North Carolina is that we faced Spingola, who is an excellent pitcher. I think we know that our hitters are going to have to get in there and compete because when you face top-level pitching, you have to get in there and stay short and get good pitches to hit.”
What makes this LSU series even more important is that it’s the last SEC home series before USC has to play eight consecutive league games on the road. Smith maintains that all games are important, but the team will need the home crowd support this weekend.
“We have the comfort of playing on our home field, in front of our fans,” Smith said. “We are going to need that support because every single SEC game we go into is critical.”
In addition, USC will need a better effort from its pitchers, as they have given opponents too many chances this season, according to Smith.
“Our defense has gotten better, but our pitchers are giving up too many walks,” Smith said. “We have to decrease that number and really make the hitters earn what they get.”