South Carolina shaking up weekend rotation for Mississippi State series
For the first time this season, South Carolina is shaking up its weekend rotation.
The Gamecocks will keep Noah Hall and Jack Mahoney in their normal slot–pitching on games two and three, respectively, with a new frontline starter.
South Carolina announced RHP Eli Jones is expected to start Thursday night at Mississippi State.
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It moves Will Sanders, who has struggled compared to his standards in six starts this season. Mark Kingston said a short week was certainly part of it with other factors leading to the decision.
“This is a short week. That’s going to factor into our decision, that it’s going to be a short week. You’re going to ask all of your guys to pitch on a day’s less rest,” Kingston said after Tuesday’s game.
“Don’t forget Jack had to pitch on Saturday, which is already a day up. We’ll factor in a lot of different things but the short week will be an important part of it.”
Sanders is 2-1 in six starts this year. He’s sporting a 5.17 ERA in just over 31 innings pitched. He’s struck out 37 to 12 walks with a .248 batting average against.
Sanders has allowed 30 hits this season with 10 of those doubles and seven homers. SEC has brought more struggles. Sanders has a 7.84 ERA and .237 opponent batting average in two starts (10.1 innings).
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It culminated in his shortest start of the year last week against Missouri. He gave up five earned in just 3.1 innings while walking six.
South Carolina could bring Sanders out of the bullpen or give him the weekend off while having him ready to go next week against LSU.
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Pitching Jones Thursday also puts Hall just one day up in his routine and keeps Mahoney at his typical seven-day routine.
Jones has also been great in seven appearances (one start) this season, boasting a 4-0 record and a paltry 1.77 ERA in 20.1 innings. Jones has struck out 24 to just four walks and has a sub-1.00 WHIP with a .182 opponent batting average.
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In 2.1 innings in SEC play, Jones has allowed two runs (one earned) with a pair of strikeouts and two walks. Opponents are hitting .111 off of him.
Hall is 5-0 in six starts this season with a 2.35 ERA and 41 strikeouts while Mahoney is 3-0 with a 2.87 ERA. In SEC play Hall is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA to Mahoney’s 1-0 and a 2.61 ERA.
The Gamecocks (24-2, 6-0 SEC) are off to their best start in over 40 years and head to a reeling Mississippi State this weekend. The series starts Thursday night (7 p.m., SEC Network).
