Gamecock Baseball: 5 Keys To Victory vs. Campbell
By Rixon Lane
The Gamecocks begin the 2014 Columbia Regional tonight against the Campbell Camels. The Camels are the Big South tournament champions and are hoping to score the first postseason win over South Carolina ever at Carolina Stadium.
With that in mind, here are five keys to victory for the Gamecocks:
1. Money Monty
Jordan Montgomery’s numbers have slipped slightly in his junior season, but South Carolina’s ace has been nearly untouchable over his career in the NCAA tournament. The Gamecocks will need Montgomery to be sharp against a Campbell team that doesn’t overpower pitchers, but can manufacture runs against anyone.
2. No Hoover hangover
The Gamecocks were flat-out embarrassed in the SEC tournament. Although it hasn’t been a problem in recent years, South Carolina must come out sharper and more focused than they were in Hoover. The field may not be as daunting as the conference tournament, but the season can end quickly if the Gamecocks aren’t ready to play.
3. Pankake production
Max Schrock and Connor Bright will get plenty of attention after returning to the starting lineups, but South Carolina must get a solid performance from one of its best all-around hitters. When Pankake is on, the Gamecock lineup is a force to be reckoned with and South Carolina would like to get the regional off to a good start.
4. Feed the crowd
The Gamecocks have a 27-game postseason winning streak at home and the fans are sure to be rowdy for the postseason opener. Getting off to a good start and forcing the Camels to cope with a hostile environment could be huge for South Carolina. If the crowd is quiet late, Campbell could seize momentum with one big play.
5. Loosey-goosey
One of the hallmarks of South Carolina baseball over the past several seasons has been the laidback demeanor of the teams. Whether it’s been Ray Tanner or Chad Holbrook calling the shots, the Gamecocks have always approached the NCAA tournament with a relaxed attitude. If the Gamecocks block out all the expectations and have fun, they are as tough to beat as any team in the country.