Gamecocks Face Tough Opponent In CSU Bakersfield

The Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners baseball team (11-3) received the program's first national ranking this week, coming in at No. 30 in the Collegiate Baseball poll.  The ranking was awarded following the Roadrunners' championship performance at the Coca-Cola Classic in Surprise, AZ.  CSUB defeated now No. 9 Arizona State, Kansas, Air Force, and Northern Illinois.  The four wins in the tournament pushed the Roadrunners' win streak to ten games.  Unfortunately for CSUB, the streak was halted by No. 23 Fresno State on Tuesday night.  Nonetheless, a confident and capable ballclub will take the field against the Gamecocks this weekend. 

Catcher Jeremy Rodriguez is Bakersfield's leading hitter, and CSUB boasts several competent pitchers.  Notably, Brandon Van Dam is 3-0 with a 0.45 ERA and a .188 OBA.  Additionally, Mike McCarthy (1-1, 1.71 ERA) has 21 Ks in 21 innings pitched.  Tommy Hoenshell (2-2, 2.05 ERA) earned the win over the Sun Devils, and Martin Medina (1-0, 2.25 ERA, 3 Saves), the Roadrunners' closer, boasts 14 Ks in eight innings of work.

South Carolina (9-1) remains at No. 4 in the Baseball America poll, but with Tuesday night's win over No. 10 Clemson, and the potential for a series win or sweep over the Roadrunners, the Gamecocks look to move up when the new rankings are released next Monday.

Probable Starting Pitchers (from GamecocksOnline.com)

Friday
South Carolina - Michael Roth (Jr. LHP) 3-0, 1.40 ERA, 19.1 IP, 6 BB, 21 SO
Cal State Bakersfield - Mike McCarthy (Sr. RHP) 1-1, 1.71 ERA, 21.0 IP, 7 BB, 21 SO

Saturday
South Carolina - Steven Neff (Jr. LHP) 1-0, 4.32 ERA, 8.1 IP, 5 BB, 11 SO
Cal State Bakersfield - Jonathan Montoya (Jr. LHP) - 2-0, 2.95 ERA, 21.1 IP, 7 BB, 15 SO

Sunday
South Carolina - Forrest Koumas (Fr. RHP) 1-0, 4.26 ERA, 6.1 IP, 2 BB, 8 SO
or - Tyler Webb (So. LHP) 2-0, 1.10 ERA, 16.1 IP, 5 BB, 11 SO
Cal State Bakersfield - Tommy Hoenshell (Jr. RHP) 2-2, 2.05 ERA, 30.2 IP, 1 BB, 20 SO