South Carolina baseball: regional game one preview

South Carolina baseball takes on UVA in game 1.

The South Carolina baseball team will take on the Virginia Cavaliers Friday afternoon in the opening matchup of the Columbia regional. Both teams are looking for a big win, and to avoid an early start in the dreaded loser’s bracket. Game one is set to get underway at noon, and it will feature two of the nation’s top pitchers dueling it out against struggling lineups.

Game preview

• South Carolina (33-21) vs. Virginia (29-23)
• First pitch: 12 PM at Founders Park
• TV: ESPN2

Pitching matchup

• SC Brett Kerry (5-1, 4 saves, 1.80 ERA) vs. UVA Andrew Abbott (8-5, 2.63 ERA)

Brett Kerry has come on strong for the Gamecocks over the latter half of the season, jumping into the starting rotation after beginning the year as the team’s closer. He’s made starts in each of South Carolina’s last two SEC series, posting a 2-0 record, and allowing just two runs in 16 innings of work. He’s been the Gamecocks’ most consistent arm, and will look to get his group off to a positive start.

Andrew Abbott, a projected second-round selection in the upcoming MLB Draft, has been just as good. He leads all ACC starting pitchers in ERA and strikeouts (136 Ks in 89 innings). The senior has been the Cavaliers’ ace all season long, and is hoping to continue his dominance against a South Carolina lineup that finished near the bottom of its conference in hitting.

Keys to the game

The key, for both squads, will be timely hitting. Scoring opportunities figure to be few and far between for these offenses, who’ve both struggled for the majority of the season. South Carolina comes in hitting just .250 as a team, the 13th-worst mark in the SEC, while Virginia enters the game batting .261.

The Gamecocks do have the power advantage, doubling up the Cavs in homers, but they’ve also struck out 510 times this year, compared to Virginia’s 367. The scoring averages have been about even, with both teams notching just under six runs per game.

The team that can string together some hits, and be successful with runners on will win this game. The offensive approach has been South Carolina’s Achilles’ heel all year long. Hopefully things will change in the postseason.

Players to watch

Julian Bosnic

We could’ve gone with Brett Kerry here, but he figures to keep the Gamecocks in the game late. Should the game stay tight throughout, South Carolina will need the bullpen to step up and close out the contest. Julian Bosnic has been one of the better relief arms this year, making 20 appearances and picking up four saves. He’s held opposing batters to a .123 average, but has shown some control issues with 22 walks in 44.2 innings. When he’s on, Bosnic is nearly unhittable. South Carolina could need him in the ninth on Friday.

Andrew Eyster

Eyster has been clutch for the Gamecocks all season long, coming up with big hits throughout the year. He leads the team in hitting at .287, adding 11 home runs and 42 RBIs. He’s shown up big in late game moments and has a knack for getting a hit with runners on base. If he can cut down on his team-leading 70 strikeouts, Eyster can be a difference maker.

Zack Gelof

Gelof, who NCAA.com tabbed as the regional’s most exciting player, leads the Cavaliers in hits, doubles, walks, runs, and total bases. He’s also among the team leaders in homers and runs batted in, and has been successful on 10-of-11 stolen base attempts. Keeping Gelof off the base paths will be key to the Gamecocks’ success.

Score prediction

Game one in the regional is always important, as a loss puts your team in a position where it has to win four straight games in three days. That task is tough on any pitching staff, meaning an opening day loss is likely to end in an early exit. This should be a tight game between two strong pitching staffs. We think South Carolina can get just enough production from the lineup to give Brett Kerry a lead he won’t relinquish. Playing in the friendly confines of Founders Park should also help, as it favors teams that hit for power.