Baseball will begin second half of conference schedule tonight
Coach Chad Holbrook said that now more than ever it is important for his Gamecock team to get hot.
No. 21 South Carolina (28-10, 8-7 SEC) will start the second half of its SEC season this weekend when it takes on No. 25 Kentucky (24-12, 7-8 SEC).
“We’re hovering around that .500 mark in the league, and when you’re there, each game in this league is extremely important,” Holbrook said.
At this point in the season, Holbrook is pleased with his team’s offensive output, citing the fact that none of USC’s regular starters have a batting average below .260 — a vast improvement from the numbers at the halfway point of conference play last season.
“Our team offense, I’ve got no beef with,” Holbrook said. “No complaints with where we are as a staff and where we are as a team offensively right now.”
The Gamecocks have also improved upon a number of other offensive statistics, such as home runs, stolen bases and on-base percentage.
The injury bug has hit USC hard so far this year, causing Holbrook to adjust his starting lineup and pitching rotation on a weekly basis. With the Gamecock bullpen suffering significant blows in the process, Holbrook has suggested sophomore shortstop Joey Pankake could be called upon to pitch against the Wildcats.
“I didn’t volunteer, but I didn’t have a problem with it either,” Pankake said. “Whatever the team needs, I’m down to do. I’m all for the team winning and success for the team.”
Pankake has been throwing bullpen sessions in preparation for possible time on the mound and says he has improved each practice. While he admits he has not seen a clock on his pitch speed in a while, the shortstop said he could throw in the low 90s in his high school days.
Despite the injury-plagued Gamecock roster, Pankake insists the attitude in the clubhouse has not suffered.
“We’ve had pretty positive vibes in the locker room,” Pankake said. “We all get along very well. There’s a pretty good mood in the locker room, still.”
The most notable ailment to South Carolina’s pitching staff has been the left elbow of senior pitcher Tyler Webb. While an MRI has revealed no structural damage in the joint, Holbrook said he does not want to rush his star closer back. He said he hopes to use Webb in some fashion this weekend.
Holbrook has pegged senior Nolan Belcher and sophomore Jordan Montgomery as the Friday and Saturday starters, respectively, but he has yet to land on a pitcher to start Sunday’s contest. As of Thursday’s practice, the coach is leaning towards freshman Jack Wynkoop for the series finale, but the decision could change if Wynkoop is forced to pitch in relief in either of the first two games.
The last time Kentucky and South Carolina faced off, USC was swept by the Wildcats in a road trip to Lexington, Ky. Even with the prospect of revenge, Holbrook says his team needs no extra motivation for this crucial conference series.
“I don’t think you’ll see, on a baseball field anywhere across the country, two more motivated teams to play well than you will see this weekend with Kentucky and South Carolina,” Holbrook said.