Kershaws Corner: Kentucky

Gamecocks vs. Kentucky - The Series

* Gamecocks lead the overall series 44-32.

* Home team has won the last 11 games in the series. The last time the visiting team won in the series was on May 7, 2010 when the Gamecocks defeated Kentucky 13-9 in Lexington.

* The last nine games have been decided by three runs or less. Four of the nine games were decided by one run.

* The last time USC shutout Kentucky was on May 4, 2003. The Gamecocks won 5-0 at Sarge Frye. The last time UK shutout USC in the series was on May 11, 1997 in Columbia. The Wildcats won that game 5-0.

* Gamecocks in Lexington: UK swept the Gamecocks in 2006 and 2012 in Lexington and won two out of three in 2004 and 2010. The last series USC won in Lexington was in 2008. They won two out of three. USC's last sweep in Lexington came in 2002. USC won the first game 6-4 in 10 innings and then won two seven inning games 6-4, and 12-6.

First Three Game Series on the Road

The trip to Lexington this weekend is the Gamecocks first three game series away from Carolina Stadium this season. Last season, USC opened up SEC play in Columbia, Missouri by winning two of the three. In 2012, USC traveled to Lexington where they were swept by the Wildcats. In 2011, USC won two of three against the Gators in Gainesville.

Series Opening Loss to Ole Miss

USC dropped their series opener to Ole Miss last Friday 6-4. The loss snapped a 22-game home winning streak for the Gamecocks.

No Extra Base Hits

USC did not have an extra-base hit in their third game of the series against Ole Miss. It was the third game this season when the Gamecocks went a game without an extra base hit. USC did not have an extra-base hit against Clemson in Greenville or against Stetson on March 5. USC won all three of those games.

Allowing the Long Ball

USC has done a good job of not allowing home runs this season. USC entered the Ole Miss series with two home runs allowed on the season. Those two home runs came in the first two games of the season against Bucknell. USC then allowed two in the series opener on Friday night against the Rebels. USC allowed 18 home runs during the 2013 season.

Striking Out At Least 7

The Gamecocks pitching staff has at least seven strikeouts in 16 of the 19 games this season. Two of the three games came against Clemson while the other came against Furman on March 11. USC struck out five in each of the two games against Clemson while striking out four Paladins.

Hit Batters

The Gamecocks have hit 13 batters this season. They have hit six in the last four games.

Longest Winning Streaks to Start the Season (Before 1st Loss of Season)

2000 - 22 (Lost to Florida in 3rd game of the series in Columbia)

2004 - 18 (Lost to LSU in the 1st game of the series in Columbia)

2014 - 16 (Lost to Ole Miss in the 1st game of the series in Columbia)

2001 - 13 (Lost to Clemson in Columbia)

1980 - 13 (Lost to Georgia Southern in Statesboro)

1975 - 13 (Lost to Stetson in Deland)

What Happened in 2000 and 2004? And Can History Repeat Itself?

* USC finished the season 56-10 in 2000 (1999 - 35-23) and 53-17 in 2004 (45-22 in 2003). USC is currently 18-1. Last season, the Gamecocks went 43-20.

* The Gamecocks hosted the Regionals and Super Regionals in both years.

* USC lost game three of the Super Regional in 2000 and in 2004 they played in the College World Series. Their two losses in Omaha came to Cal State Fullerton who won the Championship.

* USC won the SEC in 2000 and won the SEC Tournament in 2004.

* First loss of the season in 2000 came on March 19 against Florida in Columbia. The first loss of the season in 2004 came on March 19 against LSU in Columbia. This season, the first loss came on March 14 against Ole Miss in Columbia. LSU and Ole Miss were both the series openers while the game against UF was the series finale.

Gamecock Opponents That Are in This Week's Baseball America Top 25

* Gamecocks are ranked number one in the country in the Baseball America Top 25.

* Opponents that the Gamecock will see this year ranked in the BA Top 25 are: Vanderbilt 6th (May 15-17 in Nashville), Clemson 13th (USC swept the three games earlier this season), Tennessee 18th (March 28-30 in Columbia), Ole Miss 20th (USC won two of three last weekend in Columbia).

* Kentucky was ranked 20th last week but dropped out of the rankings after losing two out of three at Alabama last weekend. The Gamecocks and Crimson Tide will play at Carolina Stadium the weekend of April 25th.

Every Day Starters

The Gamecocks have three players who have started all 19 games this season; Tanner English, Connor Bright and Kyle Martin. Marcus Mooney and Grayson Greiner have played in all 19 games but both have started 18.

Gamecock Bullpen by Game

Bucknell 4 IP 6 H 4 R 4 ER 3 BB 5 K

Bucknell 4 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 7 K

Bucknell 2.2 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 5 K

Presbyterian 3.2 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 5 K

Eastern Kentucky 2 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 4 K

Eastern Kentucky 1.2 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 2 K

Eastern Kentucky 2.2 IP 3 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 5 K

Clemson 3.2 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 6 K

Clemson 3 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 2 BB 2 K

Clemson 2.1 IP 3 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K

Stetson 4 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 3 K

Stetson 6.2 IP 5 H 0 R 0 ER 2 BB 6 K

Brown 3.2 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K

Brown 1 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K

Brown 1 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 0 K

Furman 5.2 IP 4 H 0 R 0 ER 2 BB 4 K

Ole Miss 3 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 2 K

Ole Miss 7 IP 5 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 8 K

Ole Miss 3.2 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 2 BB 5 K

TOTALS 65.1 IP 38 H 4 R 4 ER 17 BB 78 K

Wil Crowe

* 4-0 with a 1.10 ERA in 5 starts this season.

* Pitched at least 5.1 innings in each of his five starts.

* Last week against Ole Miss, he pitched 5.1 innings allowing one run on six hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

* Leads the team with 32.2 innings pitched.

* Opponents are hitting .196 against him.

Cody Mincey

* 2-0 in 10 appearances with a 0.00 ERA.

* Pitched 14 innings allowing no runs on five hits and struck out 22 batters with four walks.

* Tied for the team lead with Joel Seddon with 10 appearances.

* Pitched a career high three innings against Ole Miss last week. He allowed one hit with four strike outs and two walks.

Jordan Montgomery

* 3-1 with a 3.14 ERA in 5 starts this season.

* He has pitched 28.2 innings and has allowed 12 runs (10 earned) on 25 hits with 30 strike outs and 11 walks.

* Allowed two home runs this season.

* Allowed 12 runs this season. He allowed six to Clemson and six to Ole Miss last week. Both games he allowed five earned runs.

Reed Scott

* Has four appearances and pitched 9.1 innings.

* Pitched six innings last week against Ole Miss where he allowed no runs on three hits. He struck out six while walking no batters.

Joel Seddon

* 1-0 with six saves in 10 appearances.

* Pitched 11.1 innings allowing two hits while striking out 16 with two walks.

* Opponents are hitting .054 against him.

* Has not allowed an extra base hit this season.

Jack Wynkoop

* 4-0 with a 1.84 ERA in five starts.

* Pitched 29.1 innings allowing 29 hits, eight runs (six earned), and struck out 25 to three walks.

* Allowed five doubles and one home run.

* Opponents are hitting .254 off of him.

* Has not walked a batter in his last two starts.

* Allowed four runs against Ole Miss last week but only two were earned. He also allowed two runs against Clemson and Bucknell. Both runs in each of those two games were earned.

Connor Bright

* Leads the team with a .417 batting average.

* Has three stolen bases on the season. He entered this season with three in his career.

* Leads the team with 10 doubles. Four players are tied for second with four each.

* Leads the team with 40 total bases.

* Leads the team with nine multiple hit games.

* Started all 19 games in right field.

Max Schrock

* Second on the team with a .354 batting average.

* Leads the team with four home runs on the season. (48 at bats) He had six all of last season in 227 at bats.

* Has a hit in four straight games.

* Had five hits in six at bats last weekend against Ole Miss. That included two home runs and four runs batted in.

* Against Ole Miss he drove in one-third of the runs USC scored and scored one-fourth of the runs scored by the Gamecocks.

Grayson Greiner

* Leads the team with 20 runs scored, 20 runs batted in and 11 walks.

* Leads the team with six multiple RBI games.

* Has a hit in four straight games.

* Reached base in seven straight games. His longest streak of the season is 11.

Kyle Martin

* Hitting .343 with three homers and 13 runs batted in.

* Tied for second on the team with 36 total bases.

* Reached base in seven straight games. His longest streak of the season is 11.

* Hit cleanup in 18 of the 19 games.

* Started all 19 games at first base.

Tanner English

* Hitting .339 with one home run and 14 runs batted in.

* Has one of the team's two triples this season.

* Tied for the team lead with three stolen bases.

* Has a hit in four straight games.

* Hit in the 9th spot in 17 games.

* Started all 19 games in center field.

Marcus Mooney

* Hitting .304 with 10 runs batted in.

* Has four doubles and one triple.

* Has three of the team's five sacrifice hits.

* Committed five of the team's 14 errors.

* Has 18 starts at shortstop.

Elliott Caldwell

* Hitting .288 with four doubles and eight runs batted in.

* Has 15 starts in 17 games played.

* Has four assists on the season.

Joey Pankake

* Has 17 starts in 17 games played.

* Second on the team with 19 runs scored.

* Hitting .286 with one home run and seven runs batted in.

* Leads the team with four hit by pitches.

* Currently on a seven game hitting streak.

* Hit in the 3rd spot in 17 games.

* Has 11 starts at third base and six in left field.

Brison Celek

* Has nine hits in 38 at bats for a .237 batting average.

* Leads the team with 10 starts at DH.

DC Arendas

* Has 15 starts in 16 games played.

* Has four starts at second, eight at third, one at shortstop, and two at DH.

* Has two home runs with 12 runs batted in.

* Hitting .222. (12 for 54)

Scouting the Wildcats

* 15-6 overall and 1-2 in SEC play

* 9-1 at home this season.

* Four of their six losses are by two runs or less.

* Two of those four losses were in extra innings.

* Three players hitting over .400. (Michael Thomas .431, Austin Cousino .409 and A.J. Reed .403)

* A.J. Reed has nine of the Wildcats 18 home runs this season.

* Team has 40 stolen bases and Cousino and Kyle Barrett leads the team with nine.

* Cousin leads UK with 14 multiple hit games and currently has a 16 game hit streak.

* A.J. Reed, Max Kuhn, & Austin Cousino have reached based in all 21 games this season. Ka'ai Tom has reached in 15 straight games.

* Four main starters at pitcher are A.J. Reed (3-1 with a 1.91 ERA in five starts), Andrew Nelson (1-0 with a 1.99 ERA in six appearances with three starts), Chandler Shepherd (4-0 with a 2.41 ERA in five starts) and Dylan Dwyer (1-1 with a 4.43 ERA in four starts).

* Nelson, Shepherd and Reed started last week against Alabama. All three went at least seven innings.

* Relief Pitchers: Spencer Jack has appeared in 10 games and pitched 13.1 innings. He is 1-0 on the season with a 0.68 ERA. Logan Salow has appeared in seven games and threw 8.1 innings. He is 1-1 with a 1.08 ERA. Kyle Cody has appeared in three games but thrown 13.1 innings. He is 2-0 on the season with a 1.35 ERA. Ryne Combs has thrown 13 innings and has a record of 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA. The remaining of the pitching staff has thrown 6.2 innings or less this season.

* Jack, Salow, Zach Brown (0-0 with 2.08 ERA in 4.1 IP), and Matt Snyder (0-0 with a 6.23 ERA in 4.1 IP) pitched in relief against Alabama.