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South Carolina lost to Kansas State on Thursday after the Gamecocks allowed the Wildcats to jump out to an early lead and then were unable to muster the offense to complete a comeback. The loss dropped the Gamecocks to 3-2, but they immediately have a chance to get back in the win column as they prepare to host the Wright State Raiders this weekend. The Gamecocks and the Raiders have played only twice before and South Carolina won both games.
Wright State (2-1) took two of three from a ranked Clemson team last weekend to open the season. The Raiders entered the Baseball America Top 25 after the series victory, marking the first time in program history that they have been ranked. The Raiders have made a postseason appearance two years in a row and won the Horizon League regular season and tournament championships last year. They were picked to win the Horizon League again this year, despite having a new head coach and losing most of last season’s biggest contributors. Wright State is obviously off to a great start after winning the series at Clemson and will be looking to continue to prove themselves against the Gamecocks this weekend.
USC vs Wright State Stats
| Stat | South Carolina | Wright State |
|---|---|---|
| Stat | South Carolina | Wright State |
| Batting Average | 0.282 | 0.260 |
| On-Base % | 0.357 | 0.325 |
| Slugging % | 0.387 | 0.430 |
| ERA | 2.00 | 3.81 |
| Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio | 3.23 | 1.16 |
| Fielding % | 0.975 | 0.974 |
Junior RHP Clarke Schmidt (1.35 ERA) will once again get the start on Friday night for the Gamecocks. The Raiders are expected to send Ryan Weiss to the mound on Friday. The freshman right-hander did not allow an earned run in his 2.1 innings pitched so far this season.
On Saturday junior RHP Wil Crowe will go to the mound for Carolina. Crowe struck out seven batters and did not allow an earned run in his 5 innings last Saturday against UNCG. Zane Collins, a sophomore lefty with a 5.40 ERA, should start for Wright State.
For the series finale on Sunday, the Gamecocks will start sophomore RHP Adam Hill. He did not allow an earned run and also struck out seven in last Sunday’s loss. Junior LHP Danny Sexton (1.35 ERA) is expected to start Sunday for the Raiders.
Game 1: Friday, 7 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday, 1:30 p.m.
All three games can be watched online on SEC Network Plus and can be heard on 107.5 The Game & The Gamecock Radio Network