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The Gamecocks looked like they might be turning things around with a series win against a great Vanderbilt team last weekend, but dropped yet another midweek game on Tuesday to fall to 25-17. They will need to rebound quickly as they head to Knoxville to face SEC East rival Tennessee. The Gamecocks are ranked 57th in the NCAA RPI while the Vols are ranked 85th.
South Carolina is 54-34 against Tennessee all-time, although they're only 19-18 in Knoxville. The Gamecocks have dominated the Vols in recent years. USC has won 16 of the last 18 meetings between the teams and hasn't lost the series since 2006.
| SEC East | SEC West |
| Florida (12-6, .667) | LSU (12-5, .706) |
| Missouri (12-6, .667) | Texas A&M (12-5, .706) |
| Vanderbilt (12-6, .667) | Arkansas (9-9, .500) |
| Kentucky (8-9, .471) | Ole Miss (8-10, .444) |
| South Carolina (8-10, .444) | Alabama (7-11, .389) |
| Georgia (6-11, .353) | Auburn (7-11, .389) |
| Tennessee (5-13, .278) | Mississippi State (6-12, .333) |
The Gamecocks took a big step towards meeting their goal of finishing SEC play at .500 by going 2-1 against Vandy. To stay on track South Carolina needs at least a series win against the Volunteers this weekend and preferably a sweep. With series against the top two teams in the country looming, the Gamecocks can't afford any missteps against Tennessee and Auburn. In order to win this weekend and move up in the SEC standings the Gamecocks will have to play well on the road for the first time this season and improve their 3-10 record in away games.
The Vols are 16-20 (5-13) and enter the weekend coming off of a midweek win against Eastern Tennessee State that snapped a six-game losing streak. Tennessee's only non-conference series win came against Grand Canyon. Their lone SEC series win was at Ole Miss a few weeks ago. The Vols managed to win one game against each of the three best teams they've faced (Florida, Vandy, Mizzou) and were swept by Georgia and Kentucky.
| South Carolina | Tennessee | |
| Bating Average | .257 | .257 |
| On-Base % | .350 | .344 |
| Slugging % | .366 | .380 |
| ERA | 3.76 | 4.07 |
| Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio | 2.20 | 2.30 |
| Fielding % | .969 | .960 |
The Gamecocks and the Vols have similar offensive stats and in addition to having the exact same batting average they have the same number of doubles (43) and triples (13). In conference play the Gamecocks are hitting .252 (11th in the SEC) and the Vols are hitting .237 (12th). The Gamecocks are also ranked 11th in the SEC for their conference ERA of 5.30 and the Vols are again right behind them at 12th with an SEC ERA of 5.44.
Jack Wynkoop had possibly the best game of his career last week against Vanderbilt on Friday night. He will take the mound in Knoxville on Friday and try to follow last week's heroic performance by giving the Gamecocks a chance to win the first game of a series for the first time since the opening weekend of SEC play. His ERA is 3.04 and he has 59 strikeouts and 10 walks this season. Vince Fiori, who pitched very well last week in his first career start, will get the ball on Saturday. The junior lefty has a 2.30 ERA with 29 strikeouts and 17 walks. As usual, the Sunday starter is TBA.
The Friday starter for the Vols will be junior lefty Andy Cox. He has a 3.58 ERA and has 38 strikeouts and 15 walks this season. On Saturday Tennessee will send Bret Marks to the mound. Marks is a senior right-hander with a 3.00 ERA and 76 strikeouts and 19 walks. He is second in the SEC in batters struck out behind Vandy's Carson Fulmer. The Vols have not announced a Sunday starter.
Game 1, Friday
Start Time: 6 pm
How to Watch: SEC Network Plus
How to Listen: 107. 5 The Game and Gamecock Radio Network affiliates
Game 2, Saturday
Start Time: 1 pm
How to Watch: SEC Network Plus
How to Listen: 107. 5 The Game and Gamecock Radio Network affiliates
Game 3, Sunday
Start Time: 1 pm
How to Watch: SEC Network
How to Listen: 107. 5 The Game and Gamecock Radio Network affiliates