Baseball Preview: After two years away, Webb returns to mound Saturday

WHAT: Albany (0-0) at South Carolina (0-0)

WHERE: Founders Park, Columbia, SC;

WHEN: Friday 4 p.m.; Saturday 2 p.m.; Sunday 1:30 p.m.

Braden Webb is not your typical freshman pitcher at South Carolina.

First, the Oklahoma native turns 21 years old in April, making him one of the oldest players on the Gamecocks. Additionally, Webb hasn’t pitched in a competitive game in nearly two years after suffering a serious arm injury as a senior at Owasso (Okla.) High School in 2014 that required more than a year to rehab.

Saturday, Webb is scheduled to start USC’s second game of this weekend’s season-opening series against Albany, which gets underway with all the Opening Day pomp and circumstance today at 4 p.m.

As you can imagine, Webb’s excitement level is sky high for his collegiate debut.

“It’s hard on the body to be off for a year and then come back the next year and do what you did before,” Webb said. “I feel rejuvenated and ready to rock and roll. Taking a year off means I’m still pretty young mentally. Physically, I’m a little older than everybody else.”

The injury ended Webb’s distinguished high school career. He was tabbed as the No. 3 high school prospect in the state of Oklahoma by Perfect Game in 2013 when he led Owasso High School to a 36-0 record and the Class 6A state championship,

Webb was the winning pitcher in the title game with a three-hit complete game.

The following season started well – to say the least – for Webb as he tossed consecutive no-hitters. But shortly thereafter, he felt a sharp pain in his arm and underwent surgery in April 2014.

“In my third game (in 2014), I fractured my arm all the way through and had to have surgery after that,” said Webb, who was also recruited by some Big 12 schools. “I threw a pitch and felt my arm pop. I knew something was wrong. I thought my chances of playing (in college) or the draft were over. But I got back on the grind and here I am.”

Webb moved to Maryland last winter to facilitate his rehab in the first five months of 2015.

Despite his serious arm injury, Webb was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 38th round of last June’s MLB Draft. But he chose to forego a pro career for the time being and honor his commitment to USC.

“It’s been a long time since Braden toed the rubber in a competitive situation,” USC head coach Chad Holbrook said. “But he’s ready and he’s worked hard. He’s ready. He is throwing the ball extremely well. We feel confident giving him the ball. He has great stuff. He is eager and anxious to show what he can do.”

Under NCAA rules, USC had to whittle down to a 35-man roster for Friday’s season opener. Weber Pike and Collin Steagall (started 2105 opener at first base when Kyle Martin was suspended) have left the program due to a lack of opportunities, while at least four pitchers will redshirt – Wil Crowe, Cody Morris, John Parke and promising freshman Harrison Smith. Holbrook said redshirting Smith was his “toughest call.” The final roster spot went to redshirt junior LHP Dillon Hodge.

Webb epitomizes the 2016 Gamecocks for one reason – he is a fresh face. The Opening Day starting lineup could feature several new players starting with outfielders Dom Thompson-Williams and T.J. Hopkins, third baseman Jonah Bride, catchers Chris Cullen or John Jones (one could be the DH) and infielder L.T. Tolbert.

“We’re going to put a lot of new faces out on the field tomorrow,” Holbrook said. “Some will be getting their first college action. A lot will be getting their first action as Gamecocks. We have some new faces.”

Former closer Taylor Widener, who sat out the fall rehabbing from an injury, will make his sixth career start on Sunday. Holbrook believes starting better suits Widener’s talents.

“Taylor’s bullpens and his (scrimmage) starts have been very clean,” Holbrook said. “He feels good about his arm and how it feels and how it has responded to the procedure he had in the fall. Being a starter is more suitable to him. I think he is more comfortable in that spot.

“His curveball has been a lot better than it has been. His command of his pitches has been very good. His velocity (low to mid 90s) is very high right now. If he is throwing strikes and his ball is running all over the place and he is getting his breaking ball in there, he is tough to hit.”

NOTES

-- Albany starting pitcher on Friday is junior RHP Stephen Woods, who had 55 strikeouts in 54.1 innings last season.

-- Holbrook is still undecided as to who the Gamecock closer will be. It could be closer-by-committee until somebody emerges as the best option on a consistent basis. Brandon Murray (great breaking ball), Reed Scott and Josh Reagan are all candidates to fill the role. “We’ll let that play out over the first few weeks of the season,” Holbrook said.

-- Saying USC has 12 or 13 ‘athletic’ guys who deserved to start, Holbrook hinted he might utilize a different starting lineup for all three games of the Albany series.

-- Holbrook said the competition at catcher is “so close” between veteran Hunter Taylor, freshman Chris Cullen and JUCO transfer John Jones that it is unlikely the same player will catch all three games this weekend.

-- Holbrook said he is not concerned about USC’s pitching after recently losing LHP John Parke for the season due to an arm injury. He is scheduled to soon undergo Tommy John surgery. Losing a lefthander is tough for matchup reasons, Holbrook said, but southpaws Vince Fiori and Reagan could fill the void. USC has some right-handers in the bullpen “with a pitch to combat lefties,” including a changeup.

-- Holbrook on freshman OF T.J. Hopkins, a Summerville High graduate: “He is a very explosive athlete. He causes havoc on the bases and he is very good in the outfield. He is a good bunter. We have to cut down on his strikeouts a little bit. He is going to play a lot for us this year. He could be in there (Friday).”

-- Holbrook on two-sport standout Brandon McIlwain: “We hope to get Brandon in there a little bit. I’m not sure he will start any of the three games, but he has worked hard even though he has missed a few (practices) due to football responsibilities. But he also missed the fall, so he is still a little behind.”

-- All three games against Albany will be available on SEC Network Plus with Derek Scott and Trey Dyson calling the action, as well as the Gamecock Radio Network (107.5 FM in Columbia).

-- The official dedication ceremony for ‘Founders Park’ is scheduled for April 23 prior to the Saturday afternoon home game against Missouri.

STARTING PITCHERS:

Fri – RHP Clarke Schmidt (USC) vs. Stephen Woods (ALB)

Sat – RHP Braden Webb (USC) vs. Marcus Failing (ALB)

Sun – RHP Taylor Widener (USC) vs. Ryan Stinar (ALB)