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SEC sports in Columbia does not get any better than it will this weekend. The number one team in the nation Vanderbilt (31-3) comes in to play the number 3 South Carolina Gamecocks. Both teams have great pitching and play great defense . Vandy also has been knocking the cover off the ball. At least until their mid week win this week against Middle Tenn. State where they struggled to get the 1-0 victory.

On the other hand the Gamecocks have been winning but without great hitting so far. Tuesday they lost 2-0 against the Citadel and were unable to get a run across in the ninth with the bases loaded and no outs. Hopefully USC  hits the ball the way they are capable of this weekend. It seems as though they like to play number one ranked teams. The Gamecocks took 2 out of 3 on the road against Florida last month.

South Carolina has been hampered by some of their starters having nagging injuries the last month. They will have to ignore the injuries and play really well to take the series from Vanderbilt and their great pitching staff.

The Gamecocks will start Michael Roth the College World Series sensation against Sonny Gray(7-1, 1.54 ERA) Friday night. This shapes up to be a low scoring affair. I think the lower scoring games will favor USC since they have a great home field advantage . USC has a deep bullpen and if they can keep the games low scoring and close I have to like their chances at home.

Adrian Morales will be back at 3rd after resting his sore wrist against the Citadel. Jake Williams is still suspended but it appears the charges against him will be dropped for serving alcohol to a minor. It was earlier reported he was arrested but he was not. He was only cited. Coach Tanner has not made a decision yet as to when the suspension will be lifted. Don’t be surprised if you see pitcher Steven Neff playing in the outfield during the series. He is a good defensive outfielder and can hit.

Coach Tim Corbin of Vanderbilt really like this team and called it a very hard working team. They have a great pitching staff, play great defense and have hit the ball very well. They have earned their number one ranking and plan to hold onto it this weekend. Vanderbilt has some players with great pedigrees in their lineup. OF Mike Yastrzemski is the grandson of Hall Of Fame OF Carl Yastrzemski and pitcher Jack Armstrong is the son of former big league pitcher Jack Armstrong.

South Carolina will have to break out of their hitting slump and get some runs across this weekend to take this huge series. All 3 games are sold out and the crowd will do their best to get them going.