C
Collyn Taylor
Guest
--South Carolina took two of three against Missouri this weekend, capping a 2-2 week where they stayed relatively the same in the polls but slipped nine spots from Friday to Monday in the RPI to No. 13. The RPI slip was somewhat expected because Missouri was at No. 111 heading into the weekend (up to No. 102 now) but losing Friday was part of the reason they fell too. The Gamecocks did not play particularly well Friday night—and they'd be the first to tell you that—and it resulted in a missed opportunity for a sweep. Thomas Farr wasn't his typical self, walking far too many guys, and the Gamecocks weren't crisp defensively and it resulted in extending the sixth inning allowed three runs. Offensively the Gamecocks were able to put guys on base but didn't have great at-bats and couldn't scratch across enough runs. Give South Carolina credit, because the team responded well and pitched really well both days but also had fantastic at-bats the final two games, taking walks when they needed to and hitting for non-home run power. They also didn't strike out much, just 13 times over the final two games to 14 walks.
In reality, winning two of three in the SEC is always a good thing and the Gamecocks being 8-4 through four series and a game behind Vanderbilt and Tennessee in the SEC is a really good start to league play and sets the Gamecocks up well entering the final six weekends.
--I've written a bunch over the season about teams winning when hitting with runners on and in scoring positions. The Gamecocks stranded 11 on base Friday going 2-for-16 with runners on (2-for-10 RISP). The final two games they stranded a combined 10 batters (five each game) and hit 11-for-35 (.314) and 7-for-21 (.333) with runners in scoring position. What doesn't also factor into that was three really good at-bats in the sixth Saturday with the bases loaded to walk in runs. The approach with runners on Friday was just OK and the Gamecocks did hit into some bad luck but they put together much better, patient, at-bats Saturday and Sunday. The biggest thing was they only got six runs the final two games on home runs and found ways to score in a pretty well-rounded approach the final two games. Sunday, six of the Gamecocks' 13 runs came with players down in the count.
--One pitcher I've been very impressed with, especially in SEC play and this weekend is Daniel Lloyd, who threw four scoreless innings to pick up a save against Missouri Saturday and hold that lineup in check before the offense took control in the middle innings. In fact, in Lloyd's last six outings (14 innings), he's thrown 65.7 percent strikes, has an ERA of 1.29, a WHIP of 1.00 and has only allowed two of his eight inherited runners to score. He was fantastic Saturday—four hits, no runs, two strikeouts and 27 strikes on 36 pitches—and is proving to be one of the biggest pieces of the Gamecocks' bullpen right now. His fastball is really good, sitting about 94 miles per hour and pairs it with a solid breaking ball in the low-to-mid 80s but his best pitch is probably a cutter in the upper-80s to low-90s where he's able to jam hitters and get weak contact with it. If he continues to pitch the way he has been, Lloyd will be a go-to option out of the bullpen and makes leaving Jack Mahoney as the weekday starter a little easier.
--Speaking of Mahoney, he had an up and down outing in his first positional start of his career, getting on base once and scoring after walking, and making two really solid plays at third. He did strike out once and make a throwing error that plated two runs for Missouri Friday night. But, Brennan Milone, got the next two starts at third and played well and might be settling at the spot halfway through the season. Milone went 2-for-7 with three RBI this weekend, hitting a double and his first home run of the season. His swing looks better and he's much more patient at the plate with a 2-to-3 strikeout to walk ratio his last five starts. The Gamecocks have wanted third base settled for a while and with Milone hitting .267/.477/.600 over his last five he's making a case for it. Colin Burgess also had a great weekend, going 4-for-11 with three runs and two RBI. He's reached base in 12 straight games, a career high, and giving South Carolina a pop at the bottom of the order.
--Sticking with the offense, Brady Allen is rounding into form and sparking the offense in SEC play. Allen had another really good series against Missouri, going 6-for-11 with six RBI, three walks, two strikeouts, three runs scored, two stolen bases, a double and a homer. He sparked the offense Saturday with a three-run shot in the fifth that led to the Gamecocks jumping out to a lead and cruising to the 11-1 win. Sunday he went 3-for-4 and scored three runs. When he's on, like he has been in SEC play, the Gamecocks typically win or have a shot at winning. He's slashing .321/.390/.717 with 15 RBI in 12 SEC games and has been a big piece of the offense for a while now.
--Wes Sweatt and Brett Thomas had very encouraging outings over the weekend as they continue to get back to their old form. Both have battled injuries in their times at South Carolina with Sweatt coming off Tommy John. Sweatt gave up a run on a double play Friday night but threw an inning and got up to 94 miles per hour on his fastball. He's not a finished product just yet and still has to continue to knock the rust off but 94 out of the bullpen is always a good thing to have. Thomas pitched a perfect inning Sunday to end things, striking out one and throwing 16 pitches, 10 for strikes. His breaking ball is professional-level good and his fastball velocity is creeping back up. He registered at 92 miles per hour on the gun. When he's throwing a fastball for strikes it pairs well with his breaking ball. Throwing strikes is the big key for him.
--It seems like the Gamecocks have settled a little bit on their rotation with Will Sanders emerging as a guy who can anchor the Sunday spot. With Sanders pitching the last three Sundays, it actually gives the Gamecocks—I think—a formula to win a lot of game threes. If the Gamecocks can get to Sunday with a fresh Sanders and, like this week, at least a semi-fresh Brett Kerry that's a pretty good combination to have. Kerry has been very good in late innings and having those two guys available in a game three, and maybe a mix of Julian Bosnic, Andrew Peters or Lloyd is a good problem to have.
--A little side note, but the atmosphere at the game—especially Sunday—was great. Had very similar vibes to Sarge Frye back in the day.
In reality, winning two of three in the SEC is always a good thing and the Gamecocks being 8-4 through four series and a game behind Vanderbilt and Tennessee in the SEC is a really good start to league play and sets the Gamecocks up well entering the final six weekends.
--I've written a bunch over the season about teams winning when hitting with runners on and in scoring positions. The Gamecocks stranded 11 on base Friday going 2-for-16 with runners on (2-for-10 RISP). The final two games they stranded a combined 10 batters (five each game) and hit 11-for-35 (.314) and 7-for-21 (.333) with runners in scoring position. What doesn't also factor into that was three really good at-bats in the sixth Saturday with the bases loaded to walk in runs. The approach with runners on Friday was just OK and the Gamecocks did hit into some bad luck but they put together much better, patient, at-bats Saturday and Sunday. The biggest thing was they only got six runs the final two games on home runs and found ways to score in a pretty well-rounded approach the final two games. Sunday, six of the Gamecocks' 13 runs came with players down in the count.
--One pitcher I've been very impressed with, especially in SEC play and this weekend is Daniel Lloyd, who threw four scoreless innings to pick up a save against Missouri Saturday and hold that lineup in check before the offense took control in the middle innings. In fact, in Lloyd's last six outings (14 innings), he's thrown 65.7 percent strikes, has an ERA of 1.29, a WHIP of 1.00 and has only allowed two of his eight inherited runners to score. He was fantastic Saturday—four hits, no runs, two strikeouts and 27 strikes on 36 pitches—and is proving to be one of the biggest pieces of the Gamecocks' bullpen right now. His fastball is really good, sitting about 94 miles per hour and pairs it with a solid breaking ball in the low-to-mid 80s but his best pitch is probably a cutter in the upper-80s to low-90s where he's able to jam hitters and get weak contact with it. If he continues to pitch the way he has been, Lloyd will be a go-to option out of the bullpen and makes leaving Jack Mahoney as the weekday starter a little easier.
--Speaking of Mahoney, he had an up and down outing in his first positional start of his career, getting on base once and scoring after walking, and making two really solid plays at third. He did strike out once and make a throwing error that plated two runs for Missouri Friday night. But, Brennan Milone, got the next two starts at third and played well and might be settling at the spot halfway through the season. Milone went 2-for-7 with three RBI this weekend, hitting a double and his first home run of the season. His swing looks better and he's much more patient at the plate with a 2-to-3 strikeout to walk ratio his last five starts. The Gamecocks have wanted third base settled for a while and with Milone hitting .267/.477/.600 over his last five he's making a case for it. Colin Burgess also had a great weekend, going 4-for-11 with three runs and two RBI. He's reached base in 12 straight games, a career high, and giving South Carolina a pop at the bottom of the order.
--Sticking with the offense, Brady Allen is rounding into form and sparking the offense in SEC play. Allen had another really good series against Missouri, going 6-for-11 with six RBI, three walks, two strikeouts, three runs scored, two stolen bases, a double and a homer. He sparked the offense Saturday with a three-run shot in the fifth that led to the Gamecocks jumping out to a lead and cruising to the 11-1 win. Sunday he went 3-for-4 and scored three runs. When he's on, like he has been in SEC play, the Gamecocks typically win or have a shot at winning. He's slashing .321/.390/.717 with 15 RBI in 12 SEC games and has been a big piece of the offense for a while now.
--Wes Sweatt and Brett Thomas had very encouraging outings over the weekend as they continue to get back to their old form. Both have battled injuries in their times at South Carolina with Sweatt coming off Tommy John. Sweatt gave up a run on a double play Friday night but threw an inning and got up to 94 miles per hour on his fastball. He's not a finished product just yet and still has to continue to knock the rust off but 94 out of the bullpen is always a good thing to have. Thomas pitched a perfect inning Sunday to end things, striking out one and throwing 16 pitches, 10 for strikes. His breaking ball is professional-level good and his fastball velocity is creeping back up. He registered at 92 miles per hour on the gun. When he's throwing a fastball for strikes it pairs well with his breaking ball. Throwing strikes is the big key for him.
--It seems like the Gamecocks have settled a little bit on their rotation with Will Sanders emerging as a guy who can anchor the Sunday spot. With Sanders pitching the last three Sundays, it actually gives the Gamecocks—I think—a formula to win a lot of game threes. If the Gamecocks can get to Sunday with a fresh Sanders and, like this week, at least a semi-fresh Brett Kerry that's a pretty good combination to have. Kerry has been very good in late innings and having those two guys available in a game three, and maybe a mix of Julian Bosnic, Andrew Peters or Lloyd is a good problem to have.
--A little side note, but the atmosphere at the game—especially Sunday—was great. Had very similar vibes to Sarge Frye back in the day.
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