Holbrook takes strong stance on USC’s bid for top 8 seed

South Carolina coach Chad Holbrook didn’t mince words when asked if he believes his team has done enough to earn a national seed in the NCAA Tournament.

“You’re damn right I think we’re a top eight national seed,” he said Monday.

The Gamecocks’ fourth-year head coach can make a strong case for USC, which finished the regular season No. 5 in the RPI.

South Carolina won the SEC East, finishing ahead of No. 2 in the RPI Florida and No. 8 Vanderbilt, and finished second in the SEC, ahead of No. 4 Texas A&M, No. 6 Ole Miss and No. 9 LSU.

“We’re SEC East champions and we have an RPI of top five and we finished ahead in the league of some really, really good teams. There’s no reason to think we’re not a national seed,” Holbrook said. “We’ve put ourselves in a good spot.”

South Carolina would play at home until potentially the College World Series if it earns a top eight national seed.

HUGE STRIDES

USC’s newcomers played a big role in South Carolina’s turnaround, but several veterans made key contributions as well.

Alex Destino raised his batting average from .251 to .332 entering the postseason, and already has eight home runs and 50 RBIs after finishing last year with six and 35.

Marcus Mooney has gone from hitting .213 to .312, and Gene Cone hit .257 last year before putting together a .348 season, including a school-record 31-game hitting streak.

Clarke Schmidt has lowered his ERA from 4.81 to 2.72 and has been one of the best pitchers in the SEC, while bullpen guys Tyler Johnson, Josh Reagan and Reed Scott each saw their ERAs drop significantly.

“Our returning players have played at a very high level. They’re much-improved from a year ago,” Holbrook said. “Those guys didn’t want to go through what they went through last year. They played with a chip on their shoulder .”

STARTER UP IN THE AIR

Holbrook is unsure if his ace, Schmidt, will be ready to go in the first game of the SEC Tournament on Wednesday against the winner of Ole Miss and Georgia.

The sophomore had his last start against Alabama moved up a day and had one of his worst outings of the year, allowing four runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Holbrook is wary of moving Schmidt up a day for the second straight week.

“I don’t know who I’m throwing,” Holbrook said. “He didn’t throw like Clarke Schmidt. Now all of a sudden we’re going to ask him to move up again.”

Schmidt said he feels good, but said the week is a little different when you don’t get your typical six days between starts.

“I think it’s a high possibility that I will throw. I talked with coach and threw a bullpen today preparing to throw on Wednesday. Nothing’s set in stone. It’s still up in the air. I’m ready to go, though, 100 percent,” Schmidt said.

This story was originally published May 23, 2016 at 7:03 PM.