South Carolina Baseball Set to Battle No. 1 Tennessee: A Must-Watch Weekend at Founders Park
Get ready, Gamecock Nation! This weekend, the South Carolina baseball team will face off against the top-ranked Tennessee Volunteers in an electrifying three-game SEC series at Ray Tanner Field at Founders Park.
Game Details: When and Where?
- Friday, March 28: 7 p.m.
- Saturday, March 29: 4 p.m.
- Sunday, March 30: 5 p.m.
Make sure to catch the action as Friday and Saturday’s games will be streamed live on SEC Network Plus, while Sunday’s game will be televised on SEC Network, featuring commentary from Tom Hart and Chris Burke. You can also listen to all the games on the Gamecock Sports Network presented by Learfield, where Derek Scott and Stuart Lake will bring you all the play-by-play action.
Parking and Entry: Plan Your Visit
Parking Information: Fans, please note that all game day lots are cashless, so have your debit or credit card ready!
Weekday Games:
- Stadium Opens: 5:30 p.m.
- Public Game Day Lots: $10 per game
Saturday:
- Stadium Opens: 3 p.m.
- Sunday:
- Stadium Opens: 4 p.m.
Promotions You Can’t Miss:
- Friday: Early Gates (5:30 p.m.)
- Saturday: Game Show Day with fun activities
- Sunday: Kids Run the Bases—let your young fans feel the thrill of the game!
Pitching Matchup: The Showdown
Friday’s Likely Starters:
- South Carolina: Jake McCoy (So. LHP), boasts a record of 2-2 with a 6.57 ERA.
- Tennessee: Liam Doyle (Jr. LHP), currently 3-1 with an impressive 2.03 ERA.
Saturday’s Slugfest:
- South Carolina: Jarvis Evans Jr. (Jr. LHP), undefeated at 3-0 with a 3.42 ERA.
- Tennessee: Marcus Phillips (Jr. RHP), 2-0 with a stellar 1.47 ERA.
Sunday’s Duel: Pitchers TBA for both teams.
Scouting Report: The Volunteers
The Volunteers are rolling into Columbia fresh off a dominant 14-3 victory against Queens. Key players to watch include:
- Gavin Kilen, leading the team and sitting second in the SEC with an impressive .431 batting average and 10 home runs.
- Marcus Phillips, a force on the mound, showcasing his 2-0 record and 35 strikeouts in 30.2 innings.
Tony Vitello, in his eighth year as head coach, led Tennessee to a 2024 national championship, making them a formidable opponent.
Head-to-Head: Gamecock vs. Volunteers Series History
- All-Time Series: South Carolina leads 67-48 as they prepare for Friday’s encounter.
- Last season, Tennessee swept South Carolina in a three-game series in Knoxville. However, the Gamecocks triumphed in the last meeting at Founders Park, winning 6-1 in a rain-affected seven-inning game.
- The last encounter with a No. 1-ranked team was during the Tennessee series on May 16-18, 2024.
Spotlight Players: Gamecocks on Fire
Nathan Hall:
- The junior is setting the pace with a .398 batting average, four home runs, and 23 RBI. Hall’s 16-game hitting streak and 19-game on-base streak showcase his consistency.
Jarvis Evans Jr.:
- Undefeated at 3-0 this season, he has delivered solid performances, including a six-inning outing allowing just one run against the College of Charleston.
Ethan Petry:
- Coming into this series with 50 career home runs, Petry is only 12 away from breaking the all-time record at Carolina. He’s hitting .359 with six home runs this season.
Looking Ahead
After this thrilling series against Tennessee, the Gamecocks will conclude their homestand with a matchup against Presbyterian on Tuesday, April 1 at 7 p.m., broadcasted on SEC Network.
Make your plans now to be part of this intense weekend of college baseball! Cheer on your Gamecocks as they aim to reclaim their dominance against the number one team in the nation! Don’t miss a moment of the action!
