Kingston updates Campbell, Cullen injuries before Clemson

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS BASEBALL

Mark Kingston updated a few injuries after the Gamecocks (7-1) beat Appalachian State Tuesday night, most notably to leadoff hitter Noah Campbell.

The preseason All-American didn't play Tuesday with what Kingston said was a back injury while the team's starting first baseman Chris Cullen was taken out in the third inning with a similar injury.

Kingston said postgame he's not expecting either to miss serious time.

"I think they'll be fine. We just wanted to be extra, extra cautious, especially with Noah today," Kingston said. "He hurt his back just a little bit running the bases the other day so just wanted to be extra careful and make sure he's ready to go."

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Cullen left in the third inning, being replaced by Josiah Sightler, after a pre-existing back injury flared up on him again after his first at-bat.

The senior's been battling a back injury and was removed from the game for the same precautionary reasons.

"It's the same thing he'd been battling for the last couple weeks and just wanted to err on the side of caution," Kingston said.

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Campbell has hit leadoff in every game so far this season and is slashing .250/.333/.563 with three homers and seven RBI.

Brady Allen hit leadoff in his stead, going 1-for-3 with a double and scored two of the Gamecocks' three runs.

Cullen was replaced by Sightler, who went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in his first extended action since Opening Weekend.

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The Gamecocks were being extra cautious given that their annual rivalry series with Clemson starts Friday in the Upstate with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m.

They'll play at Fluor Field at 1 p.m. Saturday before returning for a noon start at Founders Park Sunday.