USC looks to snap out of offensive funk against slugging Aggies
South Carolina’s offense has been in a bit of a funk for the past two weeks as the eighth-ranked Gamecocks have scored four runs or less in six of seven games. USC will need to end its offensive struggles this weekend against a Texas A&M squad that leads the SEC in batting average and runs scored.
The second-ranked Aggies are hitting .320 as a team and are averaging more than seven runs per game entering this weekend’s top 10 showdown at Founders Park.
“It’ll be maybe the best offensive lineup we face all year long,” USC coach Chad Holbrook said. “They’re going to score, so we’ve got to try to limit them as best we can, and offensively we’ve got our work cut out for us because we’ve been struggling a little bit as of late and we’ve got to find a way to get creative to score more runs.”
Texas A&M is led by third baseman Boomer White, who is batting .441 with 15 doubles, three home runs and 37 RBIs. His batting average and .511 on-base percentage are both the best marks in the SEC.
Seven Aggies starters are hitting better than .300, including Hunter Melton, who is batting .353 with 10 homers and 57 RBIs.
“I’ll be the first one to tell you that they’re arguably the best major hitting team in the country,” USC left fielder Alex Destino said. “When we’re clicking we have quite the offense as well, so I feel very confident going into the weekend.”
GAMECOCKS NOT CONSUMED WITH SEC TITLE
South Carolina is tied with Florida atop the SEC standings with six conference games remaining, but the Gamecocks are not focused solely on the standings.
Holbrook said he doesn’t want USC only worried about winning the SEC title because even if his team falls short it can still potentially host a regional or be a national seed.
“There are a lot of things that can be accomplished. People are throwing out seeding and hosting. If we play our best baseball this weekend and put ourselves in position to win a couple of games we might have bigger and greater opportunities,” he said. “I don’t want them to think about the ramifications or think about something other than winning.”
CONFIDENT IN REAGAN
USC reliever Josh Reagan has allowed five runs in his past five outings, but Holbrook is not losing confidence in the lefty.
Reagan gave up only one hit and no runs in 1 2/3 innings Friday night against Kentucky before pitching three innings and allowing two hits, including a solo homer, in the series finale on Sunday.
“I thought he threw the ball great at Kentucky. He gave up one home run that went about 325 feet and was wind aided. He was terrific Friday and Sunday… I have no problem giving him the ball with the game on the line or the season on the line,” Holbrook said. “I think Josh Reagan and Tyler Johnson should be fresh for the weekend, and that’s good news for us.”
This story was originally published May 12, 2016 at 9:25 PM.