SC Baseball vs George Mason Today

Despite winning 10 of their final 11 games to end the regular season, the Gamecocks will hit the road to Greenville, N.C., for East Carolina's regional.

Second-seeded USC's first game is at 3 p.m. Friday against third-seeded George Mason. With a 42-12 mark, the Patriots set a school record for victories. But they were ousted in the Colonial league tournament. It's George Mason's first NCAA appearance since 2004.

I am still sour that USC did not get a regional as many, including ESPN analysts who discussed the field, thought the Gamecocks (38-21) were deserving of the regional that went to the Pirates (42-17). Baseball America had predicted this also, even after the teams were knocked out of their respective conference tournaments. South Carolina had 18 victories against the RPI top 50, compared to just five for ECU. USC got robbed....

No crying as it is time to go to work today at 3pm for USC. First up George Mason and let's look at the key facts concerning this team:

• No. 3 seed in the ECU regional
• Conference: Colonial Athletic Association
• Ranking: Unranked
• Record: 42-12
• Last 10: 7-3
• Invite: At large
• Top bats: Chris Henderson (.416, 14, 54 RBIs), Scott Krieger (.378, 20 HR, 80 RBIs)
• Top arms: Mike Modica (11-1, 4.17 ERA), Shawn Griffith (4-0, 2.91 ERA, 3 SV)
• Key stat: Has outscored opponents 428-256 this season.
• Other stuffs: Krieger is the school’s career leader in homers, RBIs, hits, runs and total bases. The Patriots are 1-10 in five previous NCAA appearances.

South Carolina will start sophomore righty Sam Dyson (8-4, 5.31) in Friday’s opener against George Mason. George Mason will start senior lefty Mike Modica (11-1, 4.17). Dyson has struck out 89 and walked 33 in 95 innings while Modica has struck out 73 and walked 32 in 82 innings. Both pitchers have struggled with the long ball with Dyson allowing 18 homers and Modica 12.

Go Cocks! Take it one game at a time...