No Options Left For USC
posted by Scott Hood, Friday, May 16, 2008
USC knew what it had to do coming into the three-game series – win twice. Of course, the Gamecocks can still do that, but, quite frankly, after last night’s performance, I wouldn’t blame any fan for believing they won’t get it done.
What I found most disturbing is USC allowed a pitcher whose career statistics were mediocre at best to put together a dominating performance.
Nick Hernandez had been 1-5 on the season with a 5.54 ERA. He had allowed 89 hits in 74.2 innings. His career record had been 5-9 with a 5.83 ERA. Other teams had, apparently, figured him out over the last couple of years.
But USC’s veteran-filled lineup couldn’t seem to solve the riddle. They managed just three hits. The only solace was a two-run homer by James Darnell in the ninth inning.
So, in the end, a team that had lost nine of its last 10 games and has little hope of post-season play came into Sarge Frye Field and left with a convincing victory. Not good.
Ray Tanner tried to push the post-game discussion towards Hernandez and his performance and away from how poorly the Gamecocks had played. But, in my opinion, his words fell flat.
You can’t make chicken salad out of chicken you know what. You could smell this one all the way to Prosperity. It would have been better to just say “we stunk” and moved on.
But Tanner wouldn’t do that. Of course, the post-game meeting in the locker room may have been a different story.
So, where does USC go from here? They can easily shake off the loss and win Friday and Saturday. That would most certainly put USC into the SEC Tournament. They’ve done it before.
Twice this season, USC has lost the first game of a SEC series and rebounded to win the next two games, so there is precedent or the feat.
They were trounced, 15-3, by Kentucky on March 28, but won the next two games by the scores of 13-7 and 6-2. Subsequently, USC lost Game 1 to Florida, 9-3, before winning the next two games (6-5, 9-6) to capture the series.
But, here’s the question: the Gamecock players know these next two games are must-win situations. Will they be able to handle the pressure? One thing I’ve learned over the years is that it’s tough to predict how college players will react in these type of situations.
Moreover, Tennessee is throwing possibly their best pitcher today – freshman Bryan Morgado. Obviously, he must throw hard considering he’s registered 100 strikeouts in 75.2 IP.
It’s a two-game season for the Gamecocks. It’s truly do or die time for USC as far as the SEC Tournament is concerned.
However, it was not all bad news last night. USC caught a major break when lowly Mississippi State beat Arkansas, 6-5. That means USC is still one-half game behind in the battle for the eighth and final SEC Tournament spot.
Again, if you’re a USC fan, you have to continue hoping Mss. State will continue to play over their heads and win the series or even sweep the Razorbacks.
Even though USC could miss qualifying for the SEC Tournament for the first time since 1996, I believe the Gamecocks will still get a bid into the NCAA Tournament.
I base that vibe on three things: USC’s fairly high RPI (No. 20), their history over the last eight years and the respect Ray Tanner draws from colleagues throughout the country.
Tanner has been one of the most outspoken critics of the new legislation affecting college baseball. He’s also one of the leaders in the coaches association.
In my opinion, USC will get into the NCAA Tournament, even as a No. 3 seed, but will be forced to travel to one of the highest national seeds.
Right now, I predict they’re headed for Florida State, Miami or North Carolina.
It'll be difficult to advance, but at least they'll have an opportunity.
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If you’re a South Carolina baseball fan, last night’s 13-2 loss to Tennessee had to be one of the most distressing games of the season.
USC knew what it had to do coming into the three-game series – win twice. Of course, the Gamecocks can still do that, but, quite frankly, after last night’s performance, I wouldn’t blame any fan for believing they won’t get it done.
What I found most disturbing is USC allowed a pitcher whose career statistics were mediocre at best to put together a dominating performance.
Nick Hernandez had been 1-5 on the season with a 5.54 ERA. He had allowed 89 hits in 74.2 innings. His career record had been 5-9 with a 5.83 ERA. Other teams had, apparently, figured him out over the last couple of years.
But USC’s veteran-filled lineup couldn’t seem to solve the riddle. They managed just three hits. The only solace was a two-run homer by James Darnell in the ninth inning.
So, in the end, a team that had lost nine of its last 10 games and has little hope of post-season play came into Sarge Frye Field and left with a convincing victory. Not good.
Ray Tanner tried to push the post-game discussion towards Hernandez and his performance and away from how poorly the Gamecocks had played. But, in my opinion, his words fell flat.
You can’t make chicken salad out of chicken you know what. You could smell this one all the way to Prosperity. It would have been better to just say “we stunk” and moved on.
But Tanner wouldn’t do that. Of course, the post-game meeting in the locker room may have been a different story.
So, where does USC go from here? They can easily shake off the loss and win Friday and Saturday. That would most certainly put USC into the SEC Tournament. They’ve done it before.
Twice this season, USC has lost the first game of a SEC series and rebounded to win the next two games, so there is precedent or the feat.
They were trounced, 15-3, by Kentucky on March 28, but won the next two games by the scores of 13-7 and 6-2. Subsequently, USC lost Game 1 to Florida, 9-3, before winning the next two games (6-5, 9-6) to capture the series.
But, here’s the question: the Gamecock players know these next two games are must-win situations. Will they be able to handle the pressure? One thing I’ve learned over the years is that it’s tough to predict how college players will react in these type of situations.
Moreover, Tennessee is throwing possibly their best pitcher today – freshman Bryan Morgado. Obviously, he must throw hard considering he’s registered 100 strikeouts in 75.2 IP.
It’s a two-game season for the Gamecocks. It’s truly do or die time for USC as far as the SEC Tournament is concerned.
However, it was not all bad news last night. USC caught a major break when lowly Mississippi State beat Arkansas, 6-5. That means USC is still one-half game behind in the battle for the eighth and final SEC Tournament spot.
Again, if you’re a USC fan, you have to continue hoping Mss. State will continue to play over their heads and win the series or even sweep the Razorbacks.
Even though USC could miss qualifying for the SEC Tournament for the first time since 1996, I believe the Gamecocks will still get a bid into the NCAA Tournament.
I base that vibe on three things: USC’s fairly high RPI (No. 20), their history over the last eight years and the respect Ray Tanner draws from colleagues throughout the country.
Tanner has been one of the most outspoken critics of the new legislation affecting college baseball. He’s also one of the leaders in the coaches association.
In my opinion, USC will get into the NCAA Tournament, even as a No. 3 seed, but will be forced to travel to one of the highest national seeds.
Right now, I predict they’re headed for Florida State, Miami or North Carolina.
It'll be difficult to advance, but at least they'll have an opportunity.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
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Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.