Gamecock baseball is back which means so are our weekly notes. Opening weekend is over and the Gamecocks are about to start their first full week of games, although the weather does not look promising for their games against Winthrop (Tuesday) and Presbyterian (Wednesday). Let's break down what we did see this past weekend as the Gamecocks bounced back from a loss on Friday night to beat Liberty on Saturday and Sunday for the series win.
Impressed by Liberty
Liberty was impressive all weekend and their first season in the Atlantic Sun Conference should be interesting. They had good pitching, guys who could put the ball in play and guys with some pop. They were also a very good defensive team. I think this series win by the Gamecocks is going to look a lot more impressive in a few months. Liberty is going to be an interesting team to track.
The .500/.400 Guys
We like to judge hitters by who has a slugging percentage of at least .500 while also having an on base percentage of at least .400 After three games the Gamecocks have four guys make that list and two of them are newcomers.
Nick Neville
Newcomer Nick Neville is slugging .556 with an OBP of .615. Neville is the new Gamecock shortstop and he is supposed to be more of a defensive asset than an offensive one. Four hits this past weekend including a double though get him on our list after three games. He was also flawless in the field with 6 assists and 1 putout
Luke Berryhill
Berryhill is another Gamecock newcomer and he is quickly becoming a fan favorite. He can catch and play the outfield and he did both this past weekend. He is slugging .700 with an OBP of .429 Berryhill. Berryhill did only have two hits in his ten at bats but the two hits were a triple and a homer to go along with four walks.
T.J. Hopkins
If Hopkins is healthy he is going to hit and the Gamecocks need him healthy and hitting if they are going to find themselves playing meaningful games in June. He is off to a great start and is looking like his old self. Hopkins is slugging 1.000 and his OBP is at .429. Hopkins had five hits over the weekend which included two homers and a triple.
Jacob Olsen
Olsen had the best weekend at the plate. He is slugging 1.000 with an OBP of .429 but he only struck out twice in his 13 at bats. Olsen had five hits with two homers and two doubles. Defense has been an issue though as Olsen made three errors playing his new new third base position. The Gamecock offense is much better when Olsen can play third base but how much worse will it make the defense? This is definitely something to watch.
WHIP It
Let's talk pitching. Pitching is the huge question mark with this Gamecock team and there were some good things and some troubling things this past weekend. Let's look at the guy who really "Whipped" it and what we mean by that is the guys who have 1.00 WHIP or lower. WHIP is your walks + hits given up per inning pitched. If you can average less than 1 combined walk and hit per each inning you are pitching at an elite level. The Gamecocks have six pitchers with a WHIP of 1.00 and under after the first three games of the season.
Brett Kerry
Kerry is a true freshman and made two relief appearances this weekend and looked really good. He comes right after hitters and appears to have no fear. He could be a very valuable piece to this Gamecock staff. He has a WHIP of 0.00. That's right, three innings pitched and has yet to give up a hit or a walk.
Reid Morgan
Morgan is another new Gamecock who was impressive this weekend. He started on Sunday and is another kid who really comes after hitters and throws strikes. He has a WHIP right at 1.00 as he went six innings giving up six hits and did not walk a batter, music to the ears of Gamecock fans.
John Gilreath
Gilreath made a crucial error on Friday night when he slipped on a comebacker to him. He did pitch well though and has a WHIP of 0.00. Gilreath went 1 and a third and did not give up a hit or a walk. He is in line to start on Wednesday against Presbyterian.
Daniel Lloyd
Lloyd made a brief appearance this weekend and also has a WHIP of 0.00. Lloyd pitched two-thirds of an inning without giving up a hit or a walk.
Hayden Lehman
Lehman made two appearances out of the bullpen this weekend and has a WHIP of 1.00. Lehman has pitched two innings giving up one hit and one walk
Sawyer Bridges
Bridges was the most dominant pitcher all weekend except for that one batter that ended up costing the Gamecocks a sweep over Liberty. Bridges has a WHIP of 0.37 as he went Two and two-thirds of an inning giving up just one hit and did not walk anyone. He also struck out 6 batters which leads the team
