As you know if you have been a reader of LOHD since 2005, we here cover gamecocks baseball also. Well today the sound of “ping” returns with South Carolina opening the 2010 season with a three-game series vs. Duquesne. First pitch for Opening Day is 3 p.m. on Friday with Saturday’s contest also at 3 p.m. and Sunday set for 1:30 p.m.
The Gamecocks will play 56 regular season games and will face many different challenges this season from the mighty SEC as they have 30 games scheduled against those foes. SC has been picked to finish second in the SEC East.
The Gamecocks have a relatively favorable home schedule coupled with some winnable road games thus it should put Carolina in position for a strong SEC showing and a return to the NCAA tourney. Only question in my mind is does this line-up have what it takes to reach the CWS?
Diving into the schedule a bit, the Gamecocks should have a really good record when they go against Clemson for a three game series beginning March 5th. I foresee USC handling Duquesne, ECU and PC then getting to Clemson and winning at least 2 of the 3 games.
After Clemson, the Gamecocks will have winnable match-ups with Valparaiso, Brown, Furman and Davidson. Then comes their first SEC test with Tennessee which they should win 2 of 3.
From there they hit the road for a winnable game versus Georgia Southern and then a nice match up versus Auburn. They should at least win 2 of 3 there. Closing the month of March with a win at the Citadel but they are always tough and should not be overlooked.
April and May brings the heart of the SEC schedule with games at home with: MSU, Ole Miss, Alabama and Florida. I can see taking 2 of 3 in the MSU, Ole Miss and Alabama games.
Florida I feel will come down to who wants it more as this series may determine the SEC East.
Away match-ups for those same months include: at Vanderbilt, at Georgia, at Kentucky and at Arkansas. The Vandy and Georgia series will be key to watch for Carolina. In those games just don’t get swept and finish at least .500 with those six games. I think USC should cruise by UK. The Arkansas series concerns me as it is at their house and the Hogs are the second best team in the West….don’t get swept.
Out of Conference games for those months should be wins, with a home games versus C of C, USC-Upstate, Winthrop Charleston Southern, Furman and Wofford. A trip to the Citadel should also be a win but don’t taking those cadets for granted.
As you can tell the Gamecocks do not take on LSU in the regular season. This is a good thing as they are picked to win the SEC. I predict USC will play them in the SEC Tourney though for the championship.
The Gamecocks 40-23 in 2009. I expect them to lose some where in the ball park of 14-18 games in 2010 based off the schedule.
Things to know about the Gamecocks baseball team:
· South Carolina senior right-handed pitcher Jay Brown and senior catcher Kyle Enders have been selected as captains for the 2010 baseball season. Both players earned the honor after a vote by their teammates.
· Senior first baseman Nick Ebert and junior right-handed pitcher Sam Dyson earned Preseason All-America honors for the 2010 season. Dyson was a third-team Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American with Ebert recognized on the third team released by the NCBWA.
· The Gamecocks have been recognized in several preseason national rankings released by collegiate baseball publications and news outlets. Carolina’s highest preseason mark is No. 10 by Baseball America. Rivals.com has the Gamecocks at No. 13 in the nation with the NCBWA putting South Carolina at No. 21 and Collegiate Baseball listing the Gamecocks No. 28 in the country.
· Jackie Bradley Jr. is a preseason first-team All-SEC selection by both SEBaseball.com and Baseball America. Whit Merrifield and Sam Dysonalso received accolades as preseason second-team All-SEC choices by SEBaseball.com. Merrifield was recognized by Baseball America as the best base runner in the Southeastern Conference.
· The Gamecock pitching staff boasts a lot of experience with a group returning that earned 34 of the team’s 40 wins last year.
PROJECTED OPENING DAY LINEUP:
C – Kyle Enders
1B – Jeff Jones
2B – Scott Wingo
3B – Christian Walker
SS – Bobby Haney
LF – Robert Beary
CF – Whit Merrifield
RF – Adam Matthews
DH – Parker Bangs
P – Blake Cooper
Keep your eye on Christian Walker as he could be the Freshman of the Year in the SEC. He is the real deal folks. Watch the Ebert situation and of course getting Bradley back from his injury will be a automatic boost to the line-up. Also JUCO Beary will be a solid contributor. I also think Jeffery Jones will play at a high level this season after adjusting in 2009. I think you may see lots of high scoring games from this crew in 2010.
Pitching…big story from this side is Tanner has options. Dyson, Webb, Cooper and Brown. Not to mention Belcher….any of these guys can start a game. Also could see some of the newcomers making a impact and allowing the big guys (Dyson, Cooper) to get proper rest.
Some players to watch out of the bullpen, which has been the achilles heal for USC the last two years but due to these boys should carry SC to glory:
I think this is yet another year of making a strong run in the NCAA tourney and I feel we get back to the CWS. I feel SC has a chance at something special this year. Due to a well rounded team and improved pitching. Tanner has options this year both in the pitching department and the fielding area. I like the fact that several freshman could be contributors this year which says something about their talent and the future of SC baseball. I think we have quality pitching from start to finish that will get us back to the CWS in 2010 and make this a year to remember. Do you?
