The elephant in the room was there. How could it not be?
It is Clemson week, and everyone knew it. But before South Carolina baseball could turn full attention to its rivalry series, it first had to handle a home midweek against Gardner-Webb. Historically speaking, it has always been a bit of a hurdle. The Gamecocks trailed last year’s midweek before Clemson into the fifth inning, were in a one-run game in the seventh two years ago and had to turn around a 6-1 deficit in 2022.
This one was not perfect, but it ended up comfortable. South Carolina beat Gardner-Webb 14-4 at Founders Park behind a season-high five home runs, officially completing the first nine games of the season unblemished going into the showdown series.
"It was kind of a trap game for us I think because of the series that's looming this weekend," Paul Mainieri said. "Fortanutely we got some hits and were able to hit some home runs."
A rare defensive lapse allowed Gardner-Webb (5-5) to strike first. Usually sure handed shortstop Henry Kaczmar charged a ball that could have been a routine double play, allowing it to go under his glove and keep the inning alive. Infielder Dale Francis Jr. took advantage with a two-run single off starter Jackson Soucie, dropping South Carolina (9-0) into a hole.
All season, Mainieri insisted his bats would heat up with the weather. That the tough luck flyouts in cold air would eventually turn into home runs, and his team would benefit.
On the warmest night of the season so far, his offense proved him right. A first pitch temperature of 69 degrees — a full 33 degrees warmer than the last home midweek — opened the door for the ball to fly. Jase Woita was the first to take advantage, clubbing a solo home run out to left field in his first at-bat. Woita became the fourth different player to hit in the No. 2 spot in the lineup as Mainieri continued looking for the right player to set the table for Ethan Petry, and the JUCO transfer had the most success.
Woita followed his first inning shot with another one out to right field in the second inning, his third home run of the season to take the team lead. Max Kaufer also became the second catcher to homer in as many games, as the Texas A&M transfer making his first start of the season deposited one out to left field.
"Obviously it's a good feeling," Woita said. "As a hitter that's kind of what you're looking for. I was just trying to be tough with two; Coach Mainieri preaches that a lot, being a good two-strike hitter."
Third baseman KJ Scobey added his first career home run on the first pitch of the third inning, and Clemson transfer Nathan Hall continued his red hot start to the season with a three-run home run as the big blow of a five-run fourth inning.
"It was definitely really cool to see that ball go over the fence," Scobey said. "It wasn't really a relief, but I am glad it happened and helped us win."
Jarvis Evans Jr. did allow two runs in relief, but a combination of Ryder Garino, Tyler Pitzer, Zach Russell and Parker Marlatt, and Brenden Sweeney cleaned up the final three innings without incident to end the game early.
Mainieri using his higher leverage bullpen arms in a lopsided midweek with the rivalry on deck looked a little bit out of the realm of normalcy, as did using three pitchers to get the final three outs. But even with three high leverage games this weekend, it is still all about the big picture.
"It's just to try to keep those guys sharp," Mainieri said. "I told them earlier in the game, just ignore the score. I told them if we win this game going away with a bigger score, you're both going to pitch tonight. The more times they get out the mound, the more sharp I think they'll be."
Nine games, nine wins, and now the first true test of the season. South Carolina opens its annual rivalry series against Clemson on the road in a 7:00 p.m. first pitch Friday.
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