Danny Blair taking advantage of early opportunities

Danny Blair felt confident heading into Opening Day. His swing was “feeling good” and he thought he had a shot to not only get an opportunity play in the Gamecocks’ opening series against UNCG but also start the season opener.

And when the lineup card was put out Friday, Blair saw his name penciled in at left field, batting ninth.

“I was excited,” Blair said. “Everyone wants to be in there for Opening Day and I got the opportunity, Coach (Chad) Holbrook gave me the opportunity, and I think I did pretty well.”

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He’s taken advantage of his opportunity; going 5-for-7 with two runs and two RBIs as the No. 4 Gamecocks have jumped out to a 2-0 start this season.

Blair and utility player Jacob Olson have been the story of the very young season. Olson, who started in right Friday and at first Saturday, is 4-for-6 with two runs scored to start the year.

This all happening while the four and five hitters Chris Cullen and Madison Stokes are a combined 1-for-13 with two walks and a run.

“We’ve won some games and scored some runs without Cullen and Stokes getting a lot of hits and producing some runs, and they’re middle of the lineup type guys for us,” Holbrook said. “But Olson and Blair and TJ (Hopkins) yesterday has picked up the slack. Jacob has an attitude about him that I love having in the lineup. He’s just a very confident player that believes in himself.”

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Blair started in centerfield Saturday, giving Alex Destino a chance to play left. Blair roped a single into right field in his first at bat and smacked a RBI single to right to start the scoring in what turned into a three-run fifth inning.

The sophomore also tracked down a ball in centerfield, making a diving grab to rob a Spartan of extra bases.

“When he’s putting the ball in play and swinging it like he is right now, he’s a big part of our team,” Holbrook said. “He gives us another dimension that maybe we didn’t think we might have going into the season.”

Blair, who’s spent almost his entire life hitting lead off, finds himself down at the bottom of the order at the No. 9 spot. He’s played there both games this season, hitting before Hopkins and the top of the order.

He said hitting at the bottom of the order is really similar to the leadoff role.

“I’ve led off for a long time and going down to the nine hole is not much different,” he said.

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Blair puts pressure on defenses with his speed, as evidenced by his infield single in Friday’s opener. Holbrook expected Blair, who started just six games last season, to play well this season after a decent offseason, he said.

With the Gamecock outfield being loaded with hitting talent, Blair—who is one of the better defensive outfielders on the team—could be an everyday player in centerfield if he continues to hit like he has been through the first two games.

“His numbers have been good in the fall and the spring. I don’t know if he hit it with authority like he’s hitting it right now, but he finds his way on base,” Holbrook said. “If he consistently move the ball and get the ball on the ground, and when he gets his pitch put a good swing on it, he has a chance to do some damage.”