Notes and Quotes: Tennessee Game 1

Notes

--Alex Destino did not play for the third straight game. He was injured after running into an unpadded wall against Vanderbilt.

--Jonah Bride hit second for the eleventh time on Friday. It was the first time he hit that high in the lineup since March 12 against Charleston Southern.

--After hitting in the second in the lineup for 12 of the past 13 games, LT Tolbert bat seventh for the fifth time this season. It’s tied for the lowest he’s bat this season and the first time he’s batted that low since March 12.

--Madison Stokes got his second start of the season, taking over at second base for DC Arendas. It was the first start of the season in the field for Stokes, who earned his first start of the season Tuesday at DH. He was relieved in the seventh inning for DC Arendas.

--Cone extended his hitting streak to 17 games after a bloop single in the sixth inning. Other hitting streaks continued Friday: Dom Thompson-Williams (3) and LT Tolbert (2).

--The Gamecock leadoff batter reached base in five of the eight innings the team went to bat in.

--Tennessee’s six runs are tied for the most runs the Gamecocks have allowed in a win all season. The only other times were March 18 and 20 against Arkansas.

--Josh Reagan earned his SEC-best ninth save of the season. He didn’t give up a run in two innings pitched. Holbrook said with using Reagan Friday, the junior lefty most likely won’t be available for tomorrow.

--Jonah Bride was hit by a pitch in the sixth inning. It’s his fourteenth hit by pitch of the year and puts him seven away from tying the school record for hit by pitch in a season.

--Clarke Schmidt had 10 strikeouts Friday, extending his team-leading total to 70 on the season. It’s also his fourth straight game with eight or more strikeouts.

--Jonah Bride was the only Gamecock to record more than one hit. It’s his fourth multi-hit game of his career.

Quotes

Josh Reagan on loading the bases in the eighth: “I was just pissed I walked that guy and then I hit the next dude in the knee. I wasn’t really strategizing. I was going on to the next hitter. I got to make pitches either way.”

Holbrook on leaving Schmidt in with Tennessee threatening in the fifth: “If we go to our bullpen that early in the fifth in a tight game, you might not have much bullpen the rest of the weekend. And Clarke was throwing good. His velocity was good; I don’t think his command wasn’t as good as it’s been. But he had good stuff.”

Holbrook on not warming up a pitcher when Reagan went in: “It was his game until we got behind. We were going to win or lose with him having the ball.”

Holbrook on Brandon Murray: “I feel bad for Brandon. He’s pitching on pins and needles a little bit right now, and it’s very, very difficult to pitch well when you feel that way. He feels like any time he gets in trouble he’s coming out of the game because of the way Tyler (Johnson) and Josh (Reagan) have thrown.”

LT Tolbert on the 3-hour, 39-minute game: “It’s tough, but that’s why we play. Those are honestly the games we live for.”

Clarke Schmidt on allowing 14 base runners: “It was a little frustrating when you look up and see they probably have about seven infield singles...That’s what they do, they put the ball in play.”

Holbrook on intentionally walking the go-ahead run in the ninth: “The Baseball Gods usually get you when you intentionally walk the winning run on, but it worked out this time…I have that much respect for him.”

Holbrook on playing DC Arendas, Jonah Bride or Madison Stokes: “I told Madison, I told DC, I told Jonah when I’m not DHing one of those three guys, there’s two positions for three spots and I feel good about all three players. And even though one’s on the bench, it doesn’t mean he’s not a big part of our team. And they’re going to have to have that attitude all the way through.”