Mark Kingston pleased with opening weekend, talks takeaways

Baseball is a sample-size sport, and three games a sample does not make for South Carolina. But early returns have at least been positive. 

The Gamecocks (3-0) are fresh off a sweep of UMass Lowell, trouncing their opening weekend competition to the tune of 49-5 and dominating in nearly every aspect. 

It can be hard to judge a team’s progress in the early going. But South Carolina did what it was supposed to against an inferior opponent.

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The focus will undoubtedly shift to the offense, and South Carolina slashed .393/.507/.832 with 14 home runs and just as many walks (18) than strikeouts. 

“Our hitters performed a lot better this weekend than they had been in intersquads. Our question as coaches were is that an indication of the hitters or an indication of the pitchers? I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. But for the hitters, I was very pleased with the approach. They didn’t give away many at-bats all weekend. They were just relentless” Mark Kingston said.

“All in all, we played very high-level defense in terms of making the routine plays but also some highlight plays. We took great at-bats all weekend and our pitching was what we wanted it to be.”

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The Gamecocks hit well situationally, hitting .343 with two outs, .426 with runners on and .432 with runners in scoring position. Of the team’s 43 RBI, 15 came with two outs.

“Monte’s been preaching all fall and all spring quality at-bats and a left-center approach,” said Caleb Denny, who hit .500/.563/.800 with a homer this weekend. “I think our guys have bought into that. It’s worked the last two days. Just be disciplined, be tough and be able to wear pitches.”

The blowouts helped South Carolina play a plethora of offensive pieces over the course of the weekend as well, more in-game data collection in the early part of the season. 

For an offense still trying to figure out its best combination of pieces, getting 16 players at-bats–10 of those getting more than five–is invaluable.

“They got at-bats, they got defense. We were able to see some guys at different spots… We’re still in the stage where nothing is permanent with any of our guys,” Kingston said. “If you’re not in the starting lineup, when you’re in you need to get our attention. And a lot of guys have done that for sure.” 

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One of those guys is Ethan Petry, who had two singles the first two games, each over 106 miles per hour off the bat. The freshman started Sunday, going 1-for-3 with a home run.

“He had a solid fall. He took a bit of a step back in the spring. Then in the last two weeks he’s made a tweak in his approach physically in how he was approaching the ball with his swing,” Kingston said. “It was obvious and quick when he made that adjustment that he’s turned the corner.”

The Gamecocks now have to turn the page quickly, getting ready to host a pair of midweek games starting Tuesday against Winthrop (4 p.m., SEC Network Plus). 

Highly-touted freshman Eli Jerzembeck will start while James Hicks–who looked good in two innings Friday–starts Wednesday against Queens. 

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The plan is to also get a few other impact pitchers like Eli Jones and Matthew Becker into the game as well. Neither pitched opening weekend and are expected to be major pieces to this staff. 

“There are some guys who didn’t pitch this weekend because of the scores that will be key guys for Tuesday and Wednesday,” Kingston said. “There are some guys who didn’t pitch this weekend not because they’re not good enough. It’s because there’s a plan and we have to try and space out guys and how you use them.”

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Game details 

Who: South Carolina (3-0) vs. Winthrop (3-0)

When: Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 4 p.m.

Where: Founders Park (Capacity: 8,242)

How to watch/listen: SEC Network Plus and the Gamecock Radio Network

Probable starters: RHP Eli Jerzembeck vs. RHP Brody Hopkins

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