:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54942117/Team.0.jpg)
SEC Tournament Day 2 Recap
The first round of the SEC Tournament concluded Wednesday morning with Game 4 as #5 seed Mississippi State beat #12 seed Georgia and sent them home. The winning Bulldogs will play their second round game against #4 seed Arkansas at 10:30 a.m. ET Thursday morning.
The Gamecocks fell to Kentucky Wednesday afternoon in a sloppy game that featured four South Carolina errors. The loss in Game 5 forces the Gamecocks into an elimination game on Thursday. Carolina will have to win to stay alive in the SEC tournament and to keep their season going, as they’re still likely to be on the outside looking in when the NCAA Tournament field is announced unless they can manage a few more wins in Hoover.
The #10 seed Missouri Tigers faced #2 seed LSU in Game 6 Wednesday evening. There was a rain delay of over an hour during the game, but the LSU Tigers emerged victorious when it resumed. They will advance to Game 11 against Kentucky (currently scheduled for the late slot Thursday night), while Missouri faces the Gamecocks.
In Game 7, which didn’t begin until 10:45 Wednesday night, #1 seed Florida beat #8 seed Auburn. The Gators advance to Game 12 against the winner of Game 8 (Arkansas vs Mississippi State). Auburn plays against the loser of Game 8 in an elimination game that is scheduled for approximately 5:30 on Thursday.
(Keeping track of all the different games and which teams are playing in them can be tricky, so go here to see it all listed out)
SEC Tournament Game 9 Preview: South Carolina vs Missouri
The #11 seed Gamecocks are 33-24 after Wednesday’s loss, while the #10 seed Missouri Tigers are 36-22. The two teams met just a couple of weeks ago in Columbia Missouri, where the Tigers won the series. This is an elimination game for both teams, so the loser will go home while the winner advances to Game 13 to face the loser of Game 11 (Kentucky vs LSU) on Friday.
In keeping with the trend of the last couple of weeks, the Gamecocks have continued to have health issues pile up. Jacob Olson didn’t start Tuesday due to strep throat, though he started Wednesday and will hopefully be available and able to play well today. Holbrook said Wednesday that infielder LT Tolbert has been playing with torn cartilage in his knee in addition to missing time with wrist and migraine problems. The Gamecocks have to hope that healthy players are able to step up and fill any holes in the lineup and on the field left by injuries or illness.
Carolina will start RHP Wil Crowe (3.54 ERA, 81 SO, 28 BB) in today’s game. Missouri has not announced a starter yet.
USC vs Missouri Stats
| Stat | South Carolina | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Stat | South Carolina | Missouri |
| Batting Average | 0.262 | 0.264 |
| On-Base % | 0.347 | 0.363 |
| Slugging % | 0.404 | 0.407 |
| ERA | 3.64 | 3.50 |
| Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio | 2.58 | 2.66 |
| Fielding % | 0.977 | 0.966 |
(*Note: The stats in the table are through Day 1 of the SEC Tournament and do not include the Day 2 games)
When: Probably about 2 p.m. ET (Game 9 will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 8, which is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.)
How to Watch: On TV on the SEC Network or online via WatchESPN
How to Listen: 107.5 The Game & The Gamecock Radio Network