Lineup questions arise after subs step up
Box Score | Photo Gallery | Momentum shifting
When Jonah Bride was ejected and thus suspended for one game in the first inning of Sunday’s elimination game against Rhode Island, it looked dire for South Carolina.
The Gamecocks just lost their third baseman—one that started every game this season at the hot corner—for essentially two games.
It came time for DC Arendas to enter the game and play, and he didn’t disappoint. Having to play third in both elimination games Sunday, Arendas went a combined 6-for-8 with two RBIs and three runs scored.
Over the two games, he combined for the cycle. He was a double short in the first game and got it against UNCW in the nightcap.
Arendas’ play along with LT Tolbert’s solid play at second this weekend brings up an interesting question: Even though Bride’s eligible to play tomorrow, does head coach Chad Holbrook ride Arendas’ hot hand or opt for the everyday third baseman?
“We do have some depth in the infield,” Holbrook said. “I thought LT was terrific in the first game, but they all played great. I’ll just go with my gut feeling tomorrow and put the guys out there I feel like give us the best chance to win that day. The plan probably won’t be much different going into today.”
Right now, Madison Stokes, LT Tolbert, DC Arendas and Jonah Bride are four names vying for three spots in the infield. Stokes has been the go-to guy at first the last few weeks of the season.
With Bride the likely option at third, attention turns to second base. Tolbert’s been consistent this weekend, going 5-for-12 this weekend with two RBIs and nine runs scored. With DC usually coming off the bench late in games for his glove, Holbrook may opt to hold him and start Tolbert.
“DC can help us win the game whether he’s starting or whether he’s not,” Holbrook said.
Attention is also on who will pitch after Tyler Johnson’s magnificent complete game Sunday night against UNCW. With Braden Webb and Taylor Widener both sitting around 50 pitches this weekend, it’s likely one of them would start. But Clarke Schmidt, Reed Scott and Josh Reagan are also viable options.
And right now, not even the coaching staff knows. It’ll be a pitch-by-committee night tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Founders Park.
“Who’s pitching? A lot of guys, probably. We’ll try to piece it together as best we can. We’ll see how Webb feels tomorrow when he gets to the park and Schmidt and Reagan and Widener and Reed Scott,” Holbrook said. “We’ll have some guys that can throw. Maybe they’ll all chip in and between five or six guys we get nine innings out of them.”
Not a GamecockCentral.com member and want to get all the scoop? SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Never miss a moment with the GamecockCentral app: App Store - Google Play
