Baseball Travels to Greenville to Face USC Upstate Tuesday

Greenville, South Carolina – March 18, 2024

The University of South Carolina baseball team is set to travel to Greenville to take on USC Upstate in a Tuesday night matchup at Fluor Field, home of the Greenville Drive. The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+ as well as broadcasted on the Gamecock Sports Network presented by Learfield with Cade Crenshaw and Stuart Lake providing commentary.

SCOUTING USC UPSTATE

USC Upstate enters the game with a strong 14-7 overall record and a perfect 3-0 mark in Big South play. The Spartans are coming off a dominant weekend where they swept Gardner-Webb, including a commanding 20-2 victory on Sunday. Led by Jace Rinehart’s impressive .398 batting average and Troy Hamilton’s nine home runs, USC Upstate presents a formidable challenge. Freshman pitcher Darin Kuskie will take the mound for the Spartans, boasting 13 strikeouts in 9.2 innings pitched.

SERIES VS. USC UPSTATE

Carolina holds a commanding 15-1 series lead over USC Upstate heading into Tuesday’s contest. The Gamecocks secured victories in both meetings last season, winning 19-1 in Greenville and 7-2 in Columbia. In their last faceoff in March, Carolina’s Cole Messina and Gavin Casas played pivotal roles in the team’s dominant performance.

GAMECOCKS LEAD THE NATION IN WALKS

South Carolina’s keen eye at the plate has propelled them to the top of the national rankings in walks, having drawn an impressive 159 walks in just 20 games. Ethan Petry and Talmadge LeCroy lead the team with 18 walks each, showcasing the Gamecocks’ disciplined approach at the plate.

GAMECOCK ARMS IMPRESS IN FIRST 20

The Gamecocks’ pitching staff has been stellar in the early part of the season, boasting a 2.90 ERA that ranks them among the top in the SEC and NCAA. Led by standout performers like Dylan Eskew, Garrett Gainey, and Eli Jones, the pitching staff has held opponents to a meager .201 batting average.

JONES SOLID IN THE OLE MISS SERIES

Kennedy Jones shined in the recent series against Ole Miss, going 7-for-12 with impressive offensive contributions. Jones’ stellar performance included a home run and multiple extra-base hits, highlighting his potency in the Gamecocks’ lineup.

PETRY: 30 FOR 30

Sophomore Ethan Petry reached a significant milestone in his career, hitting his 30th career home run during the series against Ole Miss. Petry’s achievement cements his place among Carolina’s power-hitting elite, with his name now etched alongside Gamecock greats like Christian Walker and Jackie Bradley Jr.

BECKER, GAINEY SHUT IT DOWN ON SUNDAY

In Sunday’s victory over Ole Miss, relievers Matthew Becker and Garrett Gainey delivered a masterful performance to secure the win for the Gamecocks. Becker’s 5.1 innings of stellar relief pitching, combined with Gainey’s lockdown performance, showcased the team’s bullpen depth and resilience.

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUP

South Carolina’s Eddie Copper is set to take the mound against USC Upstate’s Darin Kuskie in a tantalizing pitching matchup. Copper, with a 2.00 ERA and 19 strikeouts, will look to stifle the Spartans’ potent lineup and lead the Gamecocks to victory.

UP NEXT

Following their clash with USC Upstate, the Gamecocks will gear up for their first SEC home series against Vanderbilt. With the Commodores coming off a strong showing against Auburn, Carolina will look to continue their winning ways and make a statement in conference play.

Related stories: Columbia Craft Call-In Show With Mark Kingston Begins Wednesday, Gamecock Baseball Notebook, Baseball Wins Sunday Game at Ole Miss