South Carolina hitters taking advantage of opportunities after offensive injuries
South Carolina is much deeper this season on both sides of things–offensively and defensively–and it’s a good thing because the Gamecocks are going to need it over the next few weeks.
They’ve been hit by a bit of the injury bug dating back to last weekend against Missouri, and South Carolina is still trying to find its best combination of things as SEC play gets to another level.
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The Gamecocks have a pair of bats on the shelf currently with Will McGillis out for 4-6 weeks with a broken arm and Carson Hornung out dealing with a fracture on his foot.
Before injury his average wasn’t braggadocious at just .288 but he was getting on base at a .500 clip with 20 walks and 17 RBI in 22 games.
Losing his bat from the left side is certainly a big one to fill. But the Gamecocks have certainly gotten productive play from the guys replacing him in the order.
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With Hornung out, Ethan Petry slides into the designated hitter role with Dylan Brewer and Evan Stone taking over in the interim and being incredibly productive.
Brewer had a great weekend at Mississippi State, going 5-for-8 with a whopping five walks. He scored four runs while driving in three more and notching a double, homer and getting hit by a pitch.
Stone, meanwhile, went 3-for-10 and scored three times while walking in a trio of plate appearances also. He did strike out four times but drove in a run and stole a base.
Brewer is now hitting .385/.619/.692 in 13 SEC at-bats while Stone is up to .316/.409/.632 with a pair of homers.
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It’s been a massive boon for South Carolina offensively and gives the Gamecocks some flexibility in the lineup. It also gives them
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the ability to put what is the best defensive outfield on the field while keeping freshman phenom Ethan Petry’s bat in the lineup.
South Carolina doesn’t have to sacrifice taking out a left-handed bat either since Brewer hits from that side also.
Since McGillis’ injury, Braswell is slashing .235/.235/.353 with an RBI and two runs scored. If Braswell isn’t in the lineup and is now hitting .294/.294/.471 in SEC play with a pair of game-winning hits.
If he’s not in, then it’s Will Tippett in the second base spot. Braylen Wimmer has brought stability to the leadoff hitter spot. In 26 at-bats he’s slashing .308/.400/.577 with seven RBI.
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His batting average on balls in play (BABIP), which measures a batting average when a player isn’t striking out or hitting home runs, is .353.
The Gamecocks are going to have to continue that trajectory as they get ready for a gauntlet of a few weeks.
It starts Tuesday night against No. 13 North Carolina in Charlotte. It will continue with three consecutive series against top-five opponents: LSU, at Vanderbilt, Florida.
Game details
Who: No. 6 South Carolina (26-3) vs. No. 13 North Carolina (20-8)
When: Tuesday, April 4
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Where: Truist Field (Charlotte, N.C.)
Game time (ET): 7 p.m.
How to watch: SEC Network Plus
How to listen: Gamecock Sports Network (107.5 FM)
Probable pitchers: LHP Matthew Becker (2-0, 4.11 ERA) vs. LHP Dalton Pence (1-1, 4.35 ERA)
