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The Gamecocks improved to 9-5 with a comeback win over Winthrop on Wednesday and they have their final non-conference series of the season this weekend as they host the Michigan State Spartans at Founders Park. The Gamecocks are 5-16 all-time against Michigan State and the teams have not faced each other since 1958.
The Spartans are 9-2, with their only losses coming against UNC Greensboro and Clemson. They opened the season with a four-game sweep of Abilene Christian and beat UNCG in a series the next weekend. Michigan State has been in South Carolina since last weekend, when they beat Furman, Presbyterian, and Tennessee-Martin in the First Pitch Invitational in Greenville. Michigan State has an experienced group, with many of their starters returning from last year’s team, which tied the MSU record for fourth most victories in a season with a 36-20 record. The Spartans have been impressive at the plate so far this season and their offense is led by Marty Bechina (.395/.536/.744), who also leads the team in home runs, and Zack McGuire (.391/.462/.674).
USC vs Michigan State Stats
| Stat | South Carolina | Michigan State |
|---|---|---|
| Stat | South Carolina | Michigan State |
| Batting Average | 0.284 | 0.329 |
| On-Base % | 0.360 | 0.429 |
| Slugging % | 0.433 | 0.514 |
| ERA | 3.23 | 3.86 |
| Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio | 2.60 | 3.41 |
| Fielding % | 0.979 | 0.957 |
On Friday, junior RHP Clarke Schmidt (0.48 ERA, 19 SO, 10 BB) will start for the Gamecocks. Schmidt has been fantastic for the Gamecocks and even in a sloppy performance (at least by his standards) last weekend he managed to shut Clemson out. Michigan State will start sophomore lefty Alex Troop, who has a 1.80 ERA with 11 strikeouts and 1 walk. Troop was selected as preseason All-Big Ten this year after his promising freshman season was cut short by injury last year.
Wil Crowe will take the mound for the Gamecocks on Saturday. The junior right-hander has continued to be reliable for Carolina coming off of his injury and has a 2.60 ERA with 22 strikeouts and 4 walks. The Spartans will start junior RHP Ethan Lander (6.75 ERA, 8 SO, 5BB).
Sophomore RHP Adam Hill (1.56 ERA, 20 SO, 7 BB) will start for Carolina in the series finale on Sunday. The Gamecocks still have not posted a Sunday win this season, despite three strong starts from Hill. Andrew Gonzalez, a junior RHP with a 5.00 ERA, 4 strikeouts and 2 walks, will start on Sunday for the Spartans.
Game 1: Friday, 7 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday, 1:30 p.m.
All three games will be available to watch online via SEC Network Plus.
All three games can be heard on the radio on 107.5 The Game & The Gamecock Radio Network.