Business as usual for veteran pitchers to start third weekend of scrimmages
Entering the third weekend of fall scrimmages, it seems the Gamecock pitchers are picking up where they left off last season and limiting run on a constant basis.
In Friday’s scrimmage, the pitchers combined to give up just four runs on 17 hits, using situational pitching to get out of a few jams.
Clarke Schmdit and Wil Crowe, both projected weekend starters gave up three runs total, only two earned and all three in the first inning. After that, they settled down and each pitched two more innings not allowing a run.
The Gamecock offense mustered just one more run the rest of the nine-inning scrimmage, with that coming off a Matt Williams home run to leadoff the fourth inning.
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It wasn’t for the lack of trying, however. The offense had men on base all game, however veteran pitching was able to deny runs most of the game behind solid defense en route to a 3-1 win for the black team.
Returning pitchers Brandon Murray, Colie Bowers, Josh Reagan and Reed Scott all saw action.
Reagan and Scott looked the most dominant closing the game. Scott pitched the last three innings for the black team and picked up eight strikeouts, including punching out the side in the eighth and ninth.
Reagan used his off-speed pitches to confuse hitters, working his slider and changeup effectively for three strikeouts. He only allowed two hits and impressed the horde of scouts in attendance.
Bowers also had a solid outing in his third appearance this fall, pitching three shutout innings and striking out three.
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Defensively, the Gamecocks continue to develop with players still shifting positions on a constant basis. Justin Row, who is in his second weekend of fall practice, played both second base and shortstop.
Row had a few plays at shortstop, making a great throw to get a runner on what could have been an infield single. Row’s played majority middle infield this Fall. Offensively, he put a few good swings on pitches, however most were right at the defense. He finished Friday 1-for-4.
Madison Stokes played shortstop and third base and Joey Polak continues to get most of his innings at first base. The true freshman made some nice plays, including snagging a line drive from LT Tolbert in the eighth inning to start a double play.
Polak also went 2-for-4 at the plate.
Carlos Cortes, who is one of the Gamecocks’ utility players this season—he can play infield, outfield and pitch—started and finished the game in left field.
TJ Hopkins and Danny Blair continue to lead off for the Garnet and Black teams respectively, and they combined to go 2-for-7 with a run scored.
A few commitments were at the scrimmage with 2017s McLendon Sears and Kyle Jacobsen making the trip along with 2018 Charlie Welch.
Scrimmages continue all weekend with Saturday’s slated for 10:15 a.m. and Sunday’s under the lights at 7 p.m.
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Starting lineups
Garnet
1B, Joey Polak; 2B, Justin Row; 3B, Jacob Olson; SS, Madison Stokes; LF, Carlos Cortes; CF, TJ Hopkins; RF, Alex Destino; C, Chris Cullen; SP, Clarke Schmidt
Black
1B, Matt Williams; 2B, Chase DeMars; 3B, Jonah Bride; SS, LT Tolbert; LF, Christian Flint; CF, Danny Blair; RF, Josh Gregory; C, Hunter Taylor; SP, Wil Crowe
Pitching lines
Garnet
Clarke Schmidt: 3 IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 1 K
Brandon Murray: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R (ER), 0 BB, 1 K
Josh Reagan: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Black
Wil Crowe: 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 2 K
Colie Bowers: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Reed Scott: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K
Top offensive performers
Joey Polak: 2-4; Danny Blair: 2-4, R; LT Tolbert: 2-4, R; Jonah Bride: 2-4, 2B; Matt Williams: 2-4, HR, R, RBI
