After a crucial series win against Clemson this past weekend, the Gamecocks will face-off against Ball State in a two game midweek series starting tonight at 7 p.m. Ball State (5-4) comes into Carolina Stadium today after sweeping Morehead State in a makeup double-header in Spartanburg, SC Monday evening. Without any notable wins on the season it’s hard to scout Ball State, but expect the Cardinals to put up a fight during their stay in Columbia.
Projected Starting Pitchers
Freshman Jack Wynkoop will take the mound tonight coming off a sensational game against Furman last Tuesday.
Ball State: TBA
South Carolina: LHP Jack Wynkoop 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 K
Projected Starting Line-up
Ball State
LF Blake Beemer .222 BA, 0 HR, 3 RBI
2B Ryan Spaulding .231 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI
RF Sean Godfrey .222 BA, 1 HR, 1 RBI
DH Cody Campbell .393 BA, 0 HR, 6 RBI
3B TJ Weir .222 BA, 1 HR, 3 RBI
1B Billy Wellman .294 BA, 1 HR, 7 RBI
SS Elbert DeVarie .235 BA,0 HR, 3 RBI
C Kevin Schlotter .286 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI
CF Wes Winkle .042 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI
South Carolina
LF Graham Saiko .273 BA, 0 HR, 7 RBI
3B Chase Vergason .345 BA, 2 HR, 6 RBI
2B Max Schrock .200 BA, 1 HR, 9 RBI
1B LB Dantzler .471 BA, 4 HR, 15 RBI
SS Joey Pankake .267 BA, 0 HR, 5 RBI
DH Connor Bright .364 BA, 0 HR, 3 RBI
C Grayson Greiner .258 BA, 0 HR, 5 RBI
RF TJ Costen .120 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI
CF Tanner English .300 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI
Prediction
Having played two games Monday night in Spartanburg and traveled overnight to Columbia, the Cardinals could look a bit sluggish in the early parts of tonight’s game. The effect of Monday’s double-header on the Cardinals’ pitching remains to be seen as their starting rotation is not very deep; two of the four pitchers that have started a game this year have ERA’s of over 10.00. The keys for South Carolina will be to first refocus after the Clemson series without overlooking Ball State, and also to attack the Cardinals early in the game when they will likely be most vulnerable. With traveling and pitching advantages in their favor, I’m predicting a rather comfortable win for the Gamecocks tonight.
Photo Credit: MySanAntonio, SportsTalkSC
