Preview: Wofford at USC

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WOFFORD (25-24) at NO. 17 SOUTH CAROLINA (35-13)

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Carolina Stadium

Tickets: Available at the box office

TV: None

Probable starting pitchers

South Carolina Reed Scott (Fr. RHP) 1-0, 0.94 ERA, 28.2 IP, 6 BB, 19 SO

Wofford Jordan Accetta (Fr. RHP) 3-2, 9.39 ERA, 23.0 IP, 12 BB, 14 SO

Series: South Carolina leads the series 73-24-1. USC won last year in Columbia 9-3.

Notes: South Carolina is 7-4 in one-run games this year as well as 16-11 in games decided by three runs or less. South Carolina is now 33-8 (.805) for the season when allowing five runs or less in a contest as well as 17-1 (.944) when scoring six runs or more … The Gamecocks are 30-4 (.882) when out-hitting the opponent … South Carolina's bullpen is 16-1 with a 1.04 ERA in 182.0 innings pitched this year. The bullpen has 186 strikeouts to 60 walks, opponents batting .184 against the relievers. The relief staff has limited opponents to 26 runs, 21 earned, on 118 hits. The numbers are very similar for SEC games with a 6-1 record along with eight saves and a 0.97 ERA in 83.1 conference innings pitched. The relievers have given up 13 runs, nine earned, on 57 hits with 80 strikeouts to 27

walks. Conference opponents are hitting .197 against the Gamecock relievers.

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WHAT TO WATCH: Attitude. With just eight games left and a national seed likely lost with a disappointing series loss in Athens, the Gamecocks have to find and play with a gusto they didn't have at Georgia. From a team that held the No. 1 spot in the nation early in the season, injuries, a dormant offense and uncharacteristic defensive lapses have reared their heads whenever this team has taken to the road. Playing with energy at home hasn't been a problem, but playing with focus and a sense of urgency on the road has. South Carolina needs a win as a team in a big way after a demoralizing Georgia series, and a lousy Wofford team should provide just the tonic.