I will be away from the computer for awhile, but thought I'd get the party started with a little UK baseball discussion. I am that fan who, while not optimistic about our prospects, continues to have "hope," rather than "optimism," and will root for the Cats every step of the way. I will question decisions and judgments by coaching staff, preferring to be wrong when it benefits UK. I figure I'm wrong six times before breakfast every day; I'm pretty much an expert at it.
So anyway, UK is in Columbia today to face the Gamecocks. UK baseball was up early this morning, touring Fort Jackson. I am always glad to see things like this; part of being a student-athlete is education, and not always just the "books" education.
South Carolina is uber-dangerous, having won the NCAA National Championship in 2010, 2011, and runners-up in 2012. They won an NCAA all-time record 22 consecutive NCAA tournament games during that stretch, which is unbelievable. They are the elite. What scares me more is that their record--thus far--does not reflect it. In fact, their record is just a little better than ours.
South Carolina (28-10, 8-7 SEC) opens a three-game SEC series on Friday night hosting Kentucky (24-12, 7-8 SEC). SC's 8-7 record is good enough to be tied for 2nd in SEC East, and tied for 4th overall.
This is the midpoint of the SEC season. Don't think just because S. Carolina has not performed up to "top 3" national level--yet--that they aren't talented, or can't "get there." Last year's national championship runner-up was swept by Kentucky in the weekend series. It happens.
S. Carolina has won six consecutive series vs. the Wildcats in Columbia (2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011) including a weekend sweep two years ago in UK's first trip to Carolina Stadium. The Wildcats swept a three-game series vs. the Gamecocks last year in Lexington.
SC head coach Chad Holbrook said this about Kentucky:
They're experienced, they have dynamic players, their pitching staff has been solid, and they've been in the top ten pretty much all year. They've struggled a little bit lately but their talent level is extremely high, their pitching ability on the mound is extremely good, and they've got a great closer at the end of the game. It's a typical SEC team that is very good and has the ability to play in the College World Series.
One of my concerns this year (and prior seasons) has been that I think coach Henderson has a tendency to go too long with any pitcher. Sometimes it works out. Often, it does not. There is no precise formula, and he ought to be the best person in position to know that. Having said that, I was struck by something SC coach Holbrook said on the reason why he has not yet named a Sunday starter for the UK series:
On a probable pitcher for Sunday...
If we had to announce a starter it would be Jack Wynkoop but we're not going to announce it because we may need Jack on Friday or Saturday. Jack pitched well in relief at Florida, and they [Kentucky] have a few left-handed hitters in there so we may need another lefty in the bullpen. If we need Jack to help us win on Friday or Saturday we're going to pitch him and we'll worry about Sunday when we get there. We have to use everything we have to win each and every game.
I added the underline. I agree with that philosophy.
South Carolina will be mad as hornets, and anxious for redemption, as last weekend they were swept by a surging Florida team in Gainesville. Losing three straight didn't really damage their SEC standing, but it did put a bit of a hurt on them they will be ready to redeem against Kentucky.
Tonight we see A.J. Reed pitching for Kentucky in a game UK badly needs to win to set the tone.
Here are the weekend rotations.
PROBABLE PITCHING ROTATION
Friday
South Carolina - Nolan Belcher (Sr. LHP) 5-3, 1.63 ERA, 66.1 IP, 5 BB, 55 SO
Kentucky - A.J. Reed (So. LHP) 2-4, 3.02 ERA, 53.2 IP, 12 BB, 39 SO
Saturday
South Carolina - Jordan Montgomery (So. LHP) 3-0, 0.69 ERA, 26.0 IP, 8 BB, 23 SO
Kentucky - Jerad Grundy (Sr. LHP) 5-4, 4.18 ERA, 56.0 IP, 16 BB, 49 SO
Sunday
South Carolina - TBA
Kentucky - Corey Littrell (Jr. LHP) 4-2, 3.16 ERA, 57.0 IP, 21 BB, 51 SO
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