Looking Ahead To Tennessee’s Weekend Series At South Carolina
Image: Tennessee Athletics
By Garrett Armbrust
The Vols are headed to Columbia this weekend.
Last week, Tennessee took 2 of 3 from Alabama following a loss game one. After their domination over Florida the weekend prior, the Vols find themselves atop the SEC standings at 5-1.
The Gamecocks, on the other hand, find themselves near the bottom of the SEC standings at 1-5. It’s been a disappointing start for them as they just got swept by Arkansas — giving up 35 runs throughout the series.
They also lost 2 out of 3 to Oklahoma and got swept earlier in the season by in-state rival Clemson.
Tennessee will look to get off to a better start this weekend, especially from their ace Liam Doyle. He’d been nearly untouchable until last weekend in which he gave up a five spot in the second inning to show he is in fact still human.
Doyle still boasts a 2.03 ERA and a 3-1 record.
The Gamecocks will likely send out either Brandon Stone or Dylan Eskew. Stone got the nod last Friday and has a 4.05 ERA with a 1-2 record. Eskew is 0-1 with a 1.77 ERA. He started 15 games last season.
If Doyle can pitch how he has this year outside of that one inning in Tuscaloosa, the Vols will be in prime position to take the first game.
Marcus Phillips will be the presumed game two starter for the Vols. Phillips has been one of the biggest, pleasant surprises this year. After some inconsistent pitching last year, Phillips boasts a 1.17 ERA and 2-0 record solidifying himself as the Saturday starter for Tony Vitello.
Jake McCoy got the start for South Carolina last Saturday but got shelled giving up four runs in less than an inning. He’s started a handful of games this season with a 6.57 ERA and 2-2 record.
Game three should belong to Tegan Kuhns for the Vols. He’s also been nearly untouchable this year with a 0.71 ERA and 2-0 record.
Like most teams in the country, the Gamecocks haven’t found their game three starter yet.
Jarvis Evans Jr. got the bump last Sunday and has been one of South Carolina’s most consistent pitchers with a 3.42 ERA and 3-0 record.
The Vols will want to get to the Gamecocks bullpen early, which has been rather inconsistent so far for South Carolina.
UT’s bats have stayed hot all year, and we are starting to see names like Dalton Bargo and Ariel Antigua get into the action.
Nathan Hall and Ethan Petry will be the most important batters for the Vols to keep their eyes on this weekend.
Hall bats with a .404 average and Petry with a .356 average.
Like the Vols, the Gamecocks have tried a variety of different batting orders early in the season.
If the Vols can win another road series or even bring out the brooms for a sweep this weekend in Columbia, Tennessee will continue their run at the top of the SEC standings through week three of league play.