Mark Kingston: South Carolina has to 'embrace the opportunity' against No. 1 Texas
If Mark Kingston had a crystal ball, South Carolina’s weekend opponent right before league play might have been a little different.
But, he didn’t. The Gamecocks, on a four-game skid and marred by a stable of pitching injuries, welcome in top-ranked Texas for a three-game series starting Friday afternoon.
“We can’t control our circumstances but we can control our attitude, our effort and our preparation. And so that’s the focus. You cannot be distracted or brought down by the circumstances around us. We just have to control the things that are controllable,” Kingston said.
“That has to be the mindset, no ifs, ands or buts about it. So we have guys on our team that will help you get that message throughout the team and their human nature. You know, there will be times maybe guys get up or down more than necessary, but over the big picture that has to be approached.”
If South Carolina is going to generate any positive momentum entering SEC play they’ll have to do it against arguably the best pitching staff in the country.
Texas’s two starters—Pete Hansen and Tristan Stevens—have allowed just one run in a combined six starts.
This weekend is a tough test for a Gamecocks offense better this season, slashing .282/.399/.406, but Texas’s pitching staff is unreal. The Longhorns have a team ERA of 1.79 with a .194 batting average against and 124 strikeouts.
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“Their Friday and Saturday night starters, in 36 innings they’ve given up one earned and run. It’s unheard of. It really is. So that’s going to be a challenge and But our guys again, guys need to rise to the occasion,” Kingston said.
“When you think Texas you always think about that pitching first, next to think about their defense and athleticism. And then they just find a way to score runs. It’s what they’ve always been the current coaching staff embraces that, that identity and that’s exactly what they are this year.”
It’s also a devastated pitching staff after injuries to most of their big arms entering the season and South Carolina will need to find a way to piece together good innings after Friday starter Will Sanders.
“You just have to encourage guys to embrace the opportunity. Right, it’s going throw a lot at you. This is a great challenge,” Kingston said. “We’re playing the best baseball in the country, and you just have to rise to the occasion. That’s the only way to approach the schedule and approach what we’re going through.
South Carolina-Texas baseball series
Who: South Carolina (7-5) vs. No. 1 Texas (12-2)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Sunday doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
Where: Founders Park
How to watch: SEC Network Plus
Probable pitchers
Friday: RHP Will Sanders (2-0, 2.37 ERA) vs. LHP Pete Hansen (2-0, 0.53 ERA)
Saturday: TBA vs. Tristan Stevens (3-0, 0.00 ERA)
Sunday: TBA vs. TBA
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