Home 2011 Season Coverage2011 NCAA Tourney 2011 NCAA Regional Preview: Columbia (SC)

2011 NCAA Regional Preview: Columbia (SC)

by Brian Foley
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By: Aaron Kirby

Favorite: South Carolina (45-14) Last 10 games 6-4

How can you not pick the Gamecocks? The defending champs may be without their best player, Jackie Bradley, but since Bradley got hurt on April 23rd the Gamecocks have gone 15-6 overall and 9-4 in SEC which is not too bad. One of the big reason’s is their pitching staff with and impressive team ERA of 2.66 and holding teams to a .230 average. The staff is lead by #1 LHP Michael Roth who in 15 starts is 11-3 with a very impressive 1.17 ERA in 107.2 IP. Roth is not the only arm on the staff as Freshman RHP Forrest Koumas is 6-1, 3.13 ERA, 63.1 IP, 53 H, 56 K and Sophmore Closer Matt Price is 5-3, 2.47 ERA, 15 sv. SR RHP John Taylor is having an outstanding season 4-1, 1.08 ERA and opponents are only hitting .173 off him. Leading the offense is Sophmore 1B Christian Walker who is hitting .357, 18 2Bs, 9 HR, 57 RBI and SR INF Scott Wingo .327, 4 HR, 25 RBI.

Dark Horse-Stetson (41-18) Last 10 games 4-6

Just 3 weeks ago Stetson sat 37-10 and looked like a lock to host a regional. However they are just 4-8 in last 12. But don’t sleep on the Hatters they have won some big games this year 3-0 vs Georgia, 1-1 vs FSU, 2-2 vs Jacksonville, and 2-1 vs Maine all regional clubs. Stetson was lead by A-Sun Pitcher of the Year Soph RHP Kurt Schlutter in 10 GS was 8-0, 1.40 ERA, 57.2 IP, 55 K but has not pitched since April 22nd because of injury and its not known yet if he will be available this weekend. But they are not short on arms: Dorsey 7-5, 4.02 ERA, 80.2 IP; Caughel 6-2, 4.40 ERA, 59.1 IP; Boyd 8-1, 2.98 ERA, 5 sv, 54.1 IP; Powell 5-3, 3.40 ERA, 8 sv, 50.1 IP. At the plate are lead by JR Catcher Nick Rickles .353 AVE, 82 H, 20 2B, 12 HR, 60 RBI and JR Shortstop Mark Jones .339 AVE, 75 H, 4 HR, 33 RBI, and 17-18 SBs.

Dark Horse-NC State (34-25) Last 10 games 6-4

Which NC State will show up this weekend? The team which swept UNC and took 2 of 3 from Clemson or the team that lost 2 of 3 to Elon, ETSU, Penn St and Duke? The Wolfpack are lead on the mound by JR RHP Cory Mazzoni who in 15 starts is 5-6, 3.38 ERA, 106.2 IP, 87 H, and 125 K with opponents hitting just .217 off him. Closer Chris Overman is 6-2, 2.54 ERA, 6 sv, 46.0 IP, 33 H, 7 BB, 40 K and opponents are only hitting .209 off him. JR catcher Pratt Maynard leads the Wolfpack at the plate hitting .331, 21 2B, 5 HR and 40 RBI. Last year in the Myrtle Beach Regional they went 0-2 losing to College of Charleston and got eliminated by Stony Brook. To avoid another 2 and Q they will need Mazzoni to pitch.

Dark Horse-Georgia Southern (36-24) Last 10 games 7-3

The Eagles have been led all year by SOCON Player of Year Sophmore OF Victor Roache and his ridiculous 30 HRs which are 8 more than anyone else in the country and 83 RBI which is tied for the most in nation. Setting the table for Roache is JR Shortstop Eric Phillips who is hitting .398, 97 H, 14 2B, and 25-30 SBs. However it was pitching that led them to the Southern Conference tourney title and a NCAA berth. Sophmore RHP Chris Beck 9-4, 3.21 ERA, 98.0 IP, 106 Ks and .216 B/avg threw a 4 hit shutout in championship game vs Samford, however SR RHP Andy Moye 7-1, 2.54 ERA, 71.0 IP gets the start Friday night vs South Carolina. In the pen JR RHP Matt Murray leads the club with 9 svs and is 4-3, 2.37 ERA with opponents hitting .204 off him.

How they will finish

1-South Carolina
2-NC State
3-Georgia Southern
4-Stetson

BREAKDOWN

#1-SOUTH CAROLINA

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE

ATLARGE
OVERALL RECORD 45-14
CONFERENCE RECORD/FINISH 22-8/T-1ST EAST
RPI #6
ISR #5
# OF NCAA APPEARANCES 27
LAST 2010 CWS CHAMPIONS
CWS APPEARANCES(years) 9 (1975, 1977,1981,1982,1985,2002,2003,2004,2010)
HEAD COACH RAY TANNER(NC State)
RECORD AT SC-15 YEARS 679-296
OVERALL RECORD-24 YEARS 1074-469-3
TEAM OFFENSE
BA .295
RUNS 363
DOUBLES 112
HR 41
SB 35-52
PITCHING STAFF
ERA 2.66
IP 523.2
H 442
HR 24
BB 192
K 468
B/AVG .230
TOP HITTERS
Christian Walker .357 AVE, 54 R, 82 H, 18 2B, 9 HR, 57 RBI
Scott Wingo .327 AVE, 40 R, 66 H, 4 HR, 25 RBI
Brady Thomas .323 AVE, 62 H, 4 HR, 36 RBI
Evan Marzilli .307 AVE, 55 H, 10 2B, 2 HR, 28 RBI
Adrian Morales .286 AVE, 60 H, 14 2B, 3 HR, 37 RBI
Robert Beary .285 AVE, 49 H, 10 2B, 2 HR, 28 RBI
Jackie Bradley Jr. .259 AVE, 36 H, 6 HR, 26 RBI
TOP PITCHERS
Michael Roth(15 GS) 11-3, 1.17 ERA, 107.2, IP, 87 H, 27 BB, 89 K, .220 B/AVG
Forrest Koumas(10 GS) 6-1, 3.13 ERA, 63.1 IP, 53 H, 26 BB, 56 K
Colby Holmes(10 GS) 6-3, 3.60 ERA, 70 IP, 60 H, 19 BB, 65 K,
Matt Price(closer) 5-3, 2.47 ERA, 15 SV, 43.2 IP, 32 H, 14 BB, 58 K, .209 B/AVG
John Taylor 4-1, 1.08 ERA, 58.1 IP, 35 H, 20 BB, 58 K, .173 B/AVG
ALL TIME RECORD VS
RECORD vs in NCAA TOURNEY
vs Georgia Southern(85-48) (1-0) Starkville, MS District 3 1974 and (1-0) 1980 Clemson Reg
vs North Carolina St(21-35)
vs Stetson(12-2) (2-0) 2003 Atlanta Regional

 

#2-STETSON

ATLANTIC SUN CONFERENCE

ATLARGE
OVERALL RECORD 41-18
CONFERENCE RECORD/FINISH 23-7/1st
RPI #23
ISR #44
# OF NCAA APPEARANCES 16(overall record 16-30)
LAST 2007 Tallahassee Regional(1-2)
CWS APPEARANCES(years) NONE
HEAD COACH Pete Dunn(Stetson)
RECORD AT STETSON-32 years 1,167-737-3
OVERALL RECORD-same
TEAM OFFENSE
BA .297
RUNS 375
DOUBLES 107
HR 29
SB 84-103
PITCHING STAFF
ERA 3.77
IP 532
H 565
HR 24
BB 205
K 447
B/AVG .275
TOP HITTERS
Nick Rickles .353 AVE, 45 R, 82 H, 20 2B, 12 HR, 60 RBI
Mark Jones .339 AVE, 45 R, 75 H, 11 2B, 4 HR, 33 RBI, 17-18 SB
Robert Crews .336 AVE, 51 R, 78 H, 12 2B, 4 HR, 38 RBI, 9-11 SB
Ben Carhart .328 AVE, 76 H, 10 2B, 7 HR, 62 RBI
Spencer Theisen .281 AVE, 62 H, 10 2B, 0 HR, 29 RBI, 13-17 SB
Jeff Simpson .272 AVE, 55 H, 10 2B, 0 HR, 21 RBI, 28-32 SB
TOP PITCHERS
Kurt Schlutter(10 GS) 8-0, 1.40 ERA, 57.2 IP, 48 H, 18 BB, 55 K, .230 B/AVG
Will Dorsey(14 GS) 7-5, 4.02 ERA, 80.2 IP, 101 H, 21 BB, 62 K, .306 B/AVG
Lindsey Caughel(11 GS) 6-2, 4.40 ERA, 59.1 IP, 66 H, 19 BB, 48 K
Jake Boyd 8-1, 2.98 ERA, 5 SV, 54.1 IP, 42 H, 15 BB, 53 K, .204 B/AVG
Robbie Powell 5-3, 3.40 ERA, 8 SV, 50.1 IP, 47 H, 13 BB, 45 K, .251 B/AVG
ALL TIME RECORD VS
RECORD vs in NCAA TOURNEY
vs South Carolina(2-12) (0-2) 2003 Atlanta Regional
vs North Carolina St(1-2) (1-0) 1988 FSU Regional and (0-1) 1990 Miami Regional
vs Georgia Southern(30-64)

 

#3-NORTH CAROLINA STATE

ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE

ATLARGE
OVERALL RECORD 34-25
CONFERENCE RECORD/FINISH 15-15 T-3rd Coastal Division
RPI #32
ISR #39
# OF NCAA APPEARANCES 23(overall record 35-47)
LAST 2010(0-2) Myrtle Beach Regional
CWS APPEARANCES(years) 1 (1968)
HEAD COACH Elliot Avent(VCU)
RECORD AT NC STATE-15 years 555-360
OVERALL RECORD-23 years 780-569
TEAM OFFENSE
BA .280
RUNS 354
DOUBLES 123
HR 33
SB 29-43
PITCHING STAFF
ERA 4.14
IP 526.1
H 508
HR 40
BB 199
K 460
B/AVG .254
TOP HITTERS
Pratt Maynard .331 AVE, 45 R, 79 H, 21 2B, 5 HR, 40 RBI
Chris Diaz .319 AVE, 40 R, 66 H, 12 2B, 2 HR, 32 RBI
Harold Riggins .304 AVE, 59 H, 11 2B, 3 HR, 33 RBI
Matt Berquist .289 AVE, 55 H, 15 2B, 4 HR, 45 RBI
John Gianis .286 AVE, 56 H, 10 2B, 1 HR, 24 RB
Brent Williams .280 AVE, 42 R, 63 H, 12 2B, 5 HR, 32 RBI
TOP PITCHERS
Cory Mazzoni(15 GS) 5-6, 3.38 ERA, 106.2 IP, 87 H, 28 BB, 125 K, .217 B/AVG
Rob Charma(9 GS) 8-2, 4.13 ERA, 65.1 IP, 63 H, 27 BB, 28 K, .261 B/AVG
Danny Healey(11 GS) 2-4, 6.15 ERA, 52.2 IP, 58 H, 25 H, 43 K, .279 B/AVG
Ethan Ogburn(7 GS) 6-4, 4.06 ERA, 57.2 IP, 59 H, 21 BB, 46 K, .269 B/AVG
Chris Overman 6-2, 2.54 ERA, 6 SV, 46.0 IP, 33 H, 7 BB, 40 K, .209 B/AVG
ALL TIME RECORD VS
RECORD vs in NCAA TOURNEY
vs South Carolina(35-21)
vs Stetson(2-1) (0-1) 1988 FSU Regional and (1-0) 1990 Miami Regional
vs GSU(0-1) (0-1) NCAA District 3 Starkville, MS 1974

 

#4-GEORGIA SOUTHERN

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE

Southern Conference Automatic
OVERALL RECORD 36-24
CONFERENCE RECORD/FINISH 18-12/T-3rd
RPI #80
ISR #95
# OF NCAA APPEARANCES 12(overall record 17-26)
LAST 2009(0-2) Cal St Fullerton Regional
CWS APPEARANCES(years) 2 (1973 and 1990)
HEAD COACH Rodney Hennon(Western Carolina)
RECORD AT GSU-12 years 440-281
OVERALL RECORD-14 years 521-319-1
TEAM OFFENSE
BA .294
RUNS 422
DOUBLES 117
HR 54
SB 92-115
PITCHING STAFF
ERA 4.52
IP 529.2
H 540
HR 34
BB 235
K 412
B/AVG .268
TOP HITTERS
Eric Phillips .398 AVE, 61 R, 97 H, 14 2B, 4 HR, 39 RBI, 25-30 SB
Steve Cochrane .332 AVE, 72 H, 19 2B, 6 HR, 56 RBI
Victor Roache .327 AVE, 58 R, 73 H, 30 HR, 83 RBI
Shawn Payne .319 AVE, 69 R, 75 H, 16 2B, 6 HR, 39 RBI, 32-35 SB
Michael Burress .308 AVE, 51 R, 82 H, 11 2B, 3 HR, 46 RBI
Tom Richardson .260 AVE, 52 H, 16 2B, 0 HR, 24 RBI
TOP PITCHERS
Andy Moye(11 GS) 7-1, 2.54 ERA, 71.0 IP, 60 H, 38 BB, 59 K, .237 B/AVG
Chris Beck(18 GS) 9-4, 3.21 ERA, 98.0 IP, 77 H, 39 BB, 106 K, .216 B/AVG
Josh Adams(13 GS) 9-6, 4.79 ERA, 71.1 IP, 76 H, 35 BB, 39 K, .281 B/AVG
Matt Murray 4-3, 2.37 ERA, 9 SV, 64.2 IP, 47 H, 21 BB, 69 K, .204 B/AVG
ALL TIME RECORD VS RECORD vs NCAA TOURNEY
vs South Carolina(48-85) (0-1) Starkville, MS District 3 1974 (0-1) 1980 Clemson Regional
vs Stetson(64-30)
vs North Carolina St(1-0) (1-0) NCAA District 3 Starkville, MS 1974

*RPI and ISR from Boydsworld.com
*BOLD = Regional Category Leader

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