South Carolina Baseball: Week 3 (Rivalry Week) Preview; Clemson, North Carolina A&T

South Carolina baseball is still undefeated. A tremendous 8-0 start has been highlighted by the offense (the Gamecocks lead the nation in runs and home runs), but the pitching has been really good, as well. They hope to continue their high level of play this week as they play North Carolina A&T in the mid-week on Tuesday and play their yearly rivalry series against the Clemson Tigers this weekend.

North Carolina A&T is 3-4 so far on the season and will travel to Columbia to play at 4:00 on Tuesday at Founder’s Park. The Gamecock starting pitcher has not been announced. Last week’s Tuesday starter Eli Jerzembeck pitched in relief this weekend. Because there were two mid-week games last week, James Hicks also got a start, pitching well against Queens. Hicks did not pitch over the weekend. Another player with starter experience, Matthew Becker, pitched during the weekend series with Penn, as well.

One of baseballnews.com’s national players of the week, Ethan Petry looks to continue swinging a hot bat. The true freshman is one of the numerous newcomers (along with transfers Will McGillis, Gavin Casas, and Caleb Denny) who have worked with returners Braylen Wimmer and Cole Messina to power the scalding Gamecock offense. Clemson pitching has given up 38 runs through seven games (27 on the wrong side of a sweep to UCF this past weekend), so look to see the Gamecocks continue their torrid pace.

Pitching, as it always is in baseball, will be the decider this weekend. South Carolina’s hurlers have been great in 2023, as the team ERA sits at 1.88 earned runs per nine innings, and the team’s WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) is a minuscule 0.85. The Tiger offense has only hit 6 total long balls this season despite scoring over five runs in five of their seven games, so a sudden power display from the orange and white would come as a surprise. Friday night starter Ryan Ammons has been good through two Friday night trips to the bump for Clemson, but Saturday and Sunday pitchers Austin Gordon and Jay Dill have been knocked around to the tune of ERAs north of 6.00. South Carolina’s hitters have to be licking their chops.

South Carolina has played better in every facet of the game so far this season, but Clemson is a team with talent. In a rivalry setting, anything can happen.

The mid-week contest against North Carolina A&T can be found on the SECNetwork+ and ESPN App at 4:00 on Tuesday. The Friday night affair at Clemson will be broadcast on the ACCNetwork Extra and ESPN App at 6:00. Game 2 against Clemson in Greenville will be on the SECNetwork+ and ESPN App 1:00, and Game 3 at Founder’s Park will be at 1:30 also on the SECNetwork+ and the ESPN App.