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South Carolina will host the Penn State Nittany Lions in a two-game series on Tuesday and Wednesday as they prepare to begin conference play this weekend. The Gamecocks (12-3) are on a 5-game win streak after sweeping Miami (Ohio) over the weekend and have moved into the top 10 in every major college baseball poll.
Penn State is just 1-8 on the season and enters Tuesday's game coming off of their first victory this year, an 18-6 win over Charleston Southern in the finale of their weekend series.The Gamecocks and the Nittany Lions have met only twice before, when they split a two-game series in Columbia in April of 1912.
South Carolina | Penn State | |
Batting Average | .268 | .274 |
On-Base Percentage | .374 | .363 |
Slugging Percentage | .375 | .374 |
ERA | 2.35 | 8.14 |
Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio | 2.93 | 1.14 |
Fielding Percentage | .968 | .955 |
Despite a sweep of the RedHawks over the weekend, the Gamecocks are still looking for consistently good offense. Coach Holbrook expressed his displeasure with the offense after Sunday's game, saying that the team has "good hitters" but is "in a bit of a funk" and that they would work to get out of that funk this week. Given Penn State's pitching numbers, the offense should be able to put together a couple of good games this week, which will hopefully lead to more sustained success. The Gamecocks also have a couple of players dealing with minor injuries as Marcus Mooney tweaked his hamstring over the weekend and DC Arendas has a sore thumb.
The starting pitcher for the Gamecocks on Tuesday will be Josh Reagan. The sophomore left-hander has a 4.26 ERA with six strikeouts and one walk on the season. Penn State's Geoff Boylston, a senior lefty, will start for the Nittany Lions on Tuesday. He has less than an inning of work so far this season and has allowed no earned runs. Neither team has announced a starter for Wednesday's game.
Game 1, Tuesday
Start Time: 7 pm
How to Watch: SEC Network Plus
How to Listen: 107.5 The Game and Gamecocks Radio Network affiliates
Game 2, Wednesday
Start Time: 7 pm
How to Watch: SEC Network Plus
How to Listen: WISW AM 1320 The Fan