After losing the opening day, the Gamecocks’ baseball team shows they are in control by now winning six consecutive games. After losing that first one, many fans seem to be panicked and expressing doubts about the upcoming season. However that loss did come to a team that made it to the superregionals last year and is expected to do the same again this year. since that day however they been almost in complete control of every single game. They have won the six games by a combined 42-11 clearly wwinning with both pitching and hitting.
On the offensive side the Gamecocks have hit .306 so far with an on-base percentage of over .400 for the season. They are being led by Elliot Caldwell, Alex Destino, and Gene Cone all hitting more than .400 for the season. Caldwell, the senior outfielder, is leading overall with an on-base percentage of .529 and a staggering slugging percentage of .733. Red-hot freshman Destino is right behind him with an on-base percentage of .480 and a slugging percentage of just over .700. Even Max Schrock who promised he would have a big season, is only hitting .150 but with 11 walks already has an on-base percentage of .438. Probably the only player truly struggling at the plate is freshman Madison Stokes who’s batting .133 with six strikeouts already.
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The pitchers are having just as good to start, with the team ERA of only 2.29 and opponents are only batting 255 so far in the season. Sophomore Will Crowe, who burst onto the scene last year, is off to a phenomenal start again this year with a 0.87 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 10 innings pitched. Relievers Vince Fiori, Clark Schmidt, and Taylor Widener have all done a great job coming in, with 16 strikeouts and only two earned runs in just over 16 innings pitched. Also in seven games combined the entire pitching staff has only given up one homerun so far.
So if you were worried after the first game relax. These 6-1 Gamecock baseball players are showing that they’re in control – off to a fantastic start on the season. This week they play Tuesday against Davidson and then start a three-game series Friday against Clemson. In fact if anyone needs to pick up the pace this week, it’s the Gamecock fans who need to make sure they’re coming out to support this great team.