After too many days without Gamecock baseball, the boys will be back on the diamond tomorrow night to begin a series against Alabama.
We’ve now passed the midway point of SEC play, so it’s crucial that the Cocks keep up the success they’ve had against conference teams recently. They’ll have to do it without pitcher Colby Holmes, though, after Ray Tanner confirmed that Holmes strained a muscle during practice today.
That means that Michael Roth and Jordan Montgomery will start Thursday and Friday as planned, but the Saturday starter is still unknown. It could be Matt Price, especially if he isn’t used much in the first two games. Roth has struggled a bit as of late, so hopefully can get back on track.
Freshmen were key in the sweep against the Tigers last weekend and if they’re still hot this weekend, that can only mean good things for South Carolina. After losing plenty of low scoring games, USC rolled over AU 12-5 and 11-7. Hopefully that’s an indication that things on finally coming together and the offense will no longer be MIA.
Carolina is 30-11 overall so far this season and 11-7 in SEC play. They’re tied with Florida for second in the East, with Kentucky as the top team. At 17-25 overall and 6-12 in the conference, the Tide aren’t doing so hot, and are in fact last in the West. That being said, if the Gamecocks don’t play quality baseball, they could find themselves on the wrong side of an upset, and worse yet, dropping games they really need to win.
The first pitch on Thursday is scheduled for 7:30 ET at Carolina Stadium. This is also the SEC Game of the Week on ESPNU. Friday’s game will get started at 7 ET, and Saturdy’s contests is set for 1:30 ET.
In other baseball news, Mr. Roth was named one of 10 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS award. To be eligible for the award, To be eligible for the award, a student-athletes must be a Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition. You can vote for Roth here, and voting lasts through June 11. The winner of the award will be announced at the College World Series in late June.
Roth has already been honored as the 2012 SEC H. Boyd McWhorter Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year and also received the President’s Award at the Gamecock Gala awards banquet the other night.
And because the Yardcocks are nothing if not quirky, LB Dantzler’s pet betta fish, Reptar, is now an overnight celebrity. After making the trip to Auburn with the team last weekend, he will be with them again against Alabama. Have I mentioned lately that I love this team?
