South Carolina

C

Chop

10,000+ Posts
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We begin our raid through the State of South Carolina tomorrow, and we'll raise as much cain as anyone since that war criminal Sherman made his raid through South Carolina some 155 years ago.

Friday, March 11 at noon - South Carolina
Saturday, March 12 at 3 pm - South Carolina
Sunday, March 13 at 12:30 pm - South Carolina
Tuesday, March 15 at 5 pm - College of Charleston
Wednesday, March 16 at 6pm - Citadel

I lived there for a year; interesting place and experience. While I'm certainly no expert on everything South Carolina, here's a few of my takes:

In Charleston, the Sports Section of the (regular) newspaper ran stories of pro wrestling, right alongside the stories on conventional sports. Motorsports are enormous--probably the favorite of your average South Carolinian, even more than Gamecock football, but that's a close call. It's a very good fishing state for both saltwater and freshwater action. For baseball, they like the Braves--a LOT. Sports fans in that state are numerous and their crowds are loud. They seem to really get into it. While there is still much "old wealth" especially in and around Charleston and the islands, and a budding new professional class--especially upstate, as a whole South Carolina is very much a blue collar state. There is a lot less of the "New South" in the Palmetto State than in most states South of the Mason-Dixon Line. They have some unique cuisine with "she crab soup", "hoppin' John", spicy boiled peanuts, red rice, Calabash style seafood as you near N.C., and some pretty good pig bbq--better than Ga. or Fla. (no brisket though...).

U. of South Carolina - the "big" state school in the center of the state. The Gamecocks hold the hearts and minds of the Low Country and the middle of the State; Clemson country is pretty far upstate. A heavy drinking school that generally treats outsiders really well and with much hospitality, unless and until you F with them--in which case you could find yourself in some pretty serious trouble.

College of Charleston -- a small liberal arts school for attractive young well-to-do ladies. On the peninsula "downtown"--I don't know where they have room for a baseball stadium, I never saw one there...?

Citadel -- an odd sort of Confederate version of West Point. Also in Charleston. They still may not even have any women there...?

3 game series with U. So. Car.

For the 3 game series against U. of So. Car., we're down one great starter--Witt. For starters in this 3 game series, I'd expect us to go with Hansen, Stevens, and Gordon. Gordon's been good, but now he needs to give us 5-6 quality innings per game.

South Carolina:
Most likely starters: Will Sanders, Noah Hall, John Gilreath
Relievers: John Gilreath, Wesley Sweatt, Cade Austin, Aidan Hunter
More on these guys in another post...
Their big stud on the mound was Julian Bosnic, but he's out with an injury.

Oh yeah, it may get cold and bad weather is a potential factor.

:ut::ut::ut:
 
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Will Sanders
RHP
6'6" 215 lbs

2.37 ERA
22 Strikeouts
5 Walks

Clearly the best South Carolina pitcher (who's not out with an injury).

This guy's pretty good. A tall pitcher with power. His fastballs are in the mid-90s and may reach into the upper 90s and have some movement on them. Sanders was the #2 ranked high school pitcher in Georgia. Made the SEC All-Freshman team last year. Trips batters up, frequently mixing in his change up with his high velocity stuff.

Last year at So. Car.:
  • Went 6-3 with a 3.54 ERA, a save and 54 strikeouts in 53.1 innings pitched

"Loose and very fast arm action, loose hips that fire well." He's got good movement in his fastball--which has "outstanding life at times." "Confident in his change up and will sequence it frequently with his fastball. Flashed tight spin and hard downer break on his curveball..." "Very high ceiling talent."

SandersWill_Davidson_20210317_ChrisGillespie_1_71.jpg


Will Sanders - Baseball - University of South Carolina Athletics
Will Sanders Class of 2020 - Player Profile | Perfect Game USA
 
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Noah Hall
6'0" 190 lbs
RHP

7.45 ERA
12 Strikouts
5 Walks

Transfer from App. State
Fastball now up to the low-and sometimes mid-90s. Makes his living on control and breaking stuff. Not an overwhelming pitcher, but a solid yeoman-like workhorse that frequently gets the job done. Hall could start or see action in middle relief, but we're likely to see him one way or another. Had a few bad innings earlier this year that skews his ERA up pretty high. He's ok, but not an opposing hurler to lose any sleep over.

Last year at App State:
"He’d finish tossing 49.2 innings with a 3.99 ERA, 52 strikeouts and 23 walks with a .218 average against going 5-1 with three saves. In five starts, Hall had a 3.33 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP and 26 strikeouts to six walks."


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Noah Hall - Baseball - University of South Carolina Athletics
Noah Hall: It was a 'no brainer' to transfer to South Carolina Gamecocks baseball
 
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John Gilreath
6'0" 179 lbs
LHP
5th year Senior

Used very frequently as a reliever, we'll see him in relief if we don't see him as a starter. In any event, we're 99% certain to see Gilreath this weekend. He's logged a lot of innings. Fastball in the high 80s, up to the low 90s. Works a good change up a lot, and uses the curve as another strike out pitch. Paints the corners. A crafty control guy. Likes to pitch inside. "Can run inside on any hitter." Often goes inside for the strikeouts. Not afraid to back up batters crowding the plate.............

His numbers are ok. Not good, but not bad. Another yeoman-like workhorse that SC relies on a lot to get the job done. I'm interested to see a pitcher who really likes to work the inside of the plate. Maybe Titanic is licking his chomps... He'd better hope he doesn't bean Faltine... One thing is nearly certain—when Gilreath is on the mound, he’ll be coming inside a lot.

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Gamecock baseball recruit interview: John GIlreath
John Gilreath - Baseball - University of South Carolina Athletics
John Gilreath
Gamecock relief pitcher John Gilreath returning for one more season - ABC Columbia
 
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ESPN showing Friday game is postponed. Game is moved to tomorrow at noon central and playing a double header Sunday.
 
COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 1 Texas Baseball's series opener at South Carolina on Friday has been postponed due to the threat of inclement weather throughout the day.

The two teams will now play Saturday (March 12) at 1 p.m. ET (Noon CT), moved up from the original 4 p.m. ET first pitch. Texas and South Carolina then will play a doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET (12:30 CT)

SERIES DATES AND TIMES
Saturday, March 12 –1 p.m. ET (Noon CT)
Sunday, March 13 – 1:30 p.m. ET (DH) (12:30 p.m. CT)
 
South Carolina is showing Will Sanders as the probable starter for Game 1, with "TBA" for Games 2 and 3...

Everything points to a big drop off after Sanders. Sanders is good. The other starters are just so-so.
 
aUTfan said:
ESPN showing Friday game is postponed. Game is moved to tomorrow at noon central and playing a double header Sunday.
Click to expand...
Good point. With spring break, no reason to have a time limit on Sunday.
 
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Wesley Sweatt
6'3" 225 lbs
RHP
Last full season: 4.33 ERA, 31 Strikeouts; 12 Walks

Fastball in the mid 90s with some good movement/drop in the zone. Nice curveball. Used mostly in relief, but a potential starter. Coming back from Tommy John surgery. He used to be a weekend starter before his surgery--so he's had it before. Has he got it back?

"Tall delivery over the rubber with a good hip turn, 3'4's arm slot with extension out front, will collapse his back side at times without ideal lower half drive to go with it. Fastball topped out at 91 mph [back in high school], has good life on his fastball down in the zone. Power curveball with a solid sweeping life, gets around it at times but creates good spin and bite. Developing change up. Should continue to improve as he becomes more consistent in his mechanics."

"Sweatt didn't pitch in any of the 16 games last season coming off surgery but was a weekend starter at times during his freshman season in Columbia (before Tommy John surgery).
He made 23 appearances in 2019, going 2-3 with four starts. He ended with a 4.33 ERA in 43.2 innings, striking out 31 and walking 12. Batters hit .273 against him."


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Wesley Sweatt - Baseball - University of South Carolina Athletics
Wesley Sweatt Class of 2018 - Player Profile | Perfect Game USA
South Carolina Gamecocks baseball Injury update to Wesley Sweatt, Jeff Heinrich
 
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Cade Austin
6'3" 230lbs
RHP
Redshirt Freshman
6.75 ERA
8 Strikeouts
7 Walks

Mostly used as a reliever, but started Game 2 vs George Washington.
Fastball in the low-to-mid 90s. Pretty good control, and a nasty cutter. I sense he's better than his early season numbers might indicate. Could be a big part of the future for the Gamecocks.

"The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Austin has a very deceptive delivery that hides the ball well and he works distractingly quickly while making hitters uncomfortable with both his stuff and his pace... touching 90 mph a number of times, with good sinking life that generated him a number of early count ground balls. He worked in a short 75 mph slider and a 77 mph changeup on occasion but the pitch that really opened this scout’s eyes was an 84 mph cutter that he threw for one of his seven strikeouts, as the pitch just disappeared at the plate to a righthanded hitter. Austin’s defense must love playing behind him, between his pace between pitches and his ability to throw strikes."

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Cade Austin - Baseball - University of South Carolina Athletics
17U Elite: Day 2 Scout Notes | Perfect Game USA
 
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Aidan Hunter
6'4" 205 lbs
RHP
True Freshman
6.17 ERA
8 Strikeouts
1 Walk

Another piece of the relief pen for the Cocks. Young Freshman Aidan throws some heat, and has command of a pretty good breaking ball and changeup. Throws up to the mid 90s, might hit even bit higher. He was clocked up to 93 mph in high school, and he's put on some (muscle) weight since then. A capable strikeout pitcher. 5A pitcher of the year in South Carolina high schools last year. Based on his performance in college early this season, he looks to be a bit on-and-off / hot-and-cold. He's a true Freshman all right. Plenty of raw talent in this one though.

"His 6-foot-4 frame looks the part and he has a very refined delivery. He has been up to 93 mph and can tunnel his healthy three pitch mix."

"Aidan is a tall RHP prospect who showed well at the Under Armour All-America Pre-Season Tournament. On the mound, Aidain gathers over the rubber and separates his hands on time. He works with a loose arm and extends through his release, staying inline towards the plate. Aidan shows an advanced three pitch mix with his fastball topping out at 91mph with arm side run. Breaking ball sits from 80-82mph with late 11-5 break. Changeup sits from 78-79mph with late arm side run as he throws with deceptive arm speed. Overall, Aidan is a talented prospect who will be one to follow going into his junior season."

He gave up a bunch of singles against Xavier:
"The Gamecocks turned to second-year righty Aidan Hunter in relief as Sweatt faded. The Summerville native was promptly tagged for a barrage of Xavier singles over the course of his 1.1 innings pitched."

Aidan comes from Summerville, South Carolina.

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Aidan Hunter - Baseball - University of South Carolina Athletics
Aidan Hunter Class of 2021 - Player Profile | Perfect Game USA
2021 Prep Class Rankings Risers Part 3 | Perfect Game USA
Baseball Factory | Top Prospects | Aidan Hunter
https://www.thestate.com/sports/col...h-carolina/usc-baseball/article259195118.html
 
If Will Sanders (SC RHP) really shows up, we could have a pitcher's duel for the game he pitchers. Then run-away, big margin victories for the other 2 games. But you never know--that's why they play the game on the field.

:bevo::bevo::bevo:
 
As always, great scouting report(s) on the other team Chop.... Real blow about Witt - next man up. Sweep is still feasible, but I'll take 2 of 3 vs. 'cocks.

Re: South Carolina, I'll add they have some great golf courses in the state and OMG they know how to prepare grits. Even if you don't care for grits, I suspect you will like the way they do with 'em. Good friend from SC - nicest guy you will ever meet.
 
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WorsterMan said:
As always, great scouting report(s) on the other team Chop.... Real blow about Witt - next man up. Sweep is still feasible, but I'll take 2 of 3 vs. 'cocks.

Re: South Carolina, I'll add they have some great golf courses in the state and OMG they know how to prepare grits. Even if you don't care for grits, I suspect you will like they do with 'em. Good friend from SC - nicest guy you will ever meet.
Click to expand...
Oh yeah, gotta mention the grits. It's not uncommon to eat grits at each meal of the day. Fine dining establishments serve shrimp and grits. Overall--things are more positive than negative by me in SC.

The interesting thing about this series matchup and the pitching is that they have ONE (1) pitcher on the level of our starting 3--Sanders. I'd put the likely starters in this series like this:

1/2 Hansen, Stevens
small to moderate drop off
3 Sanders
moderate drop off
4. Gordon
big drop off
5/6 whomever else SC trots out as a starter

That means, if Sanders goes Game 1--we've got ourselves a potential 2-1, 2-0, 3-2 pitching dual (some classic National League ball in the Dome or at Busch). But Game 2, we have a big pitching mismatch. And Game 3, we have a significant pitching mismatch--if Gordon throws as he has thrown so far this year. If I'm reading it right, we're looking at high probability wins for games 2-3, and a small-moderate edge on Game 1 (Sanders is good). Of course, the game is played on the field, not on the stat sheet....
 
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Yeah!!!

Threw him out!!

that’s what a good catcher looks like.

But it’s close, so they’re having a debate. I think we tagged his arm before his foot hit the bag.

Yep. Upheld.
 
Chop said:
:socaro:
Noah Hall
6'0" 190 lbs
RHP

7.45 ERA
12 Strikouts
5 Walks

Transfer from App. State
Fastball now up to the low-and sometimes mid-90s. Makes his living on control and breaking stuff. Not an overwhelming pitcher, but a solid yeoman-like workhorse that frequently gets the job done. Hall could start or see action in middle relief, but we're likely to see him one way or another. Had a few bad innings earlier this year that skews his ERA up pretty high. He's ok, but not an opposing hurler to lose any sleep over.

Last year at App State:
"He’d finish tossing 49.2 innings with a 3.99 ERA, 52 strikeouts and 23 walks with a .218 average against going 5-1 with three saves. In five starts, Hall had a 3.33 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP and 26 strikeouts to six walks."


10925638.jpg


Noah Hall - Baseball - University of South Carolina Athletics
Noah Hall: It was a 'no brainer' to transfer to South Carolina Gamecocks baseball
Click to expand...
Noah Hall on the mound for SC.
 
Fun game to watch so far. I loved the stolen base challenge at 2nd by the 'cocks that was rejected by the umps. Hook 'em! (Thanks for your great reconnaissance, Chop!)
 
Pluck?
Where are you watching it?
It is not on Uverse
and I can'f find on Texas Sports
Listening on Texas Sports
 
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