The University of South Carolina after beating the Citadel last night will take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in the finals of the Columbia Regional. VT got to the finals today after beating the Citadel by the score of 4-3.
Basically, it is easy math for USC – win and you move on to the super regional. Lose and you must face the Hokies again Monday night at 7pm at Carolina Stadium.
USC will most likely send senior right hander Jay Brown to the mound. He is 3-0, 4.40 in 16 appearances, 8 starts, this season. He earned the win in his last outing against Florida, going 6.1 innings and giving up two runs on five hits with a walk and four strikeouts.
The Hokies will start sophomore right hander Mathew Price. Price is 7-3, 4.54, in 16 appearances, 14 starts this season. He started against Bucknell Saturday, but was limited one innings after a lengthy rain delay. Price gave up a hit and a walk in his one inning of work.
3 Keys to a USC Win tonight
1. USC needs offense and need it early — The Gamecocks are hitting .364 (28-for-77) with 18 runs in two games of the regional. They hit .248 (70-for-282) in their last two regular season SEC series and in two losses in the SEC tournament. USC needs to jump out to a good lead early.
2. USC must limit Austin Wates — He led the way for the Hokies offensively already today, going 2-for-4 with a double, triple and two RBIs. He is 7-for-12 with 3 RBIs in the regional. USC must not let him hurt them.
3. Jay Brown’s performance is key — he must have the same performance he did versus UF. He needs to bring his “A” game tonight.
