What South Carolina's regional lineup could look like
South Carolina watched as its bottom third of the lineup went 0-for-11 and seven strikeouts and the Gamecocks’ SEC Tournament dreams struck out with it.
After the game, head coach Chad Holbrook made it clear what could happen to right the problem.
“There’s rosters on the table,” he said. “I got to put guys in there who can fight, scratch and claw to get on base or bunt or do something productive in there besides striking out. I have to shake some things up.”
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And heading into the regional this weekend, changes will likely be coming for the Gamecocks (42-15).
John Jones, who has started 40 games as the designated hitter this season, went 0-for-6 with four strikeouts in the SEC Tournament and could move out of the lineup for other options.
Only 15 different players have started for the Gamecocks all year, so major overhauls are unlikely, but a few tweaks are expected.
“I don’t think I’m going to try and reinvent the wheel,” Holbrook said. “Our players are our players. Through 57 games, they’ve won their fair share. I don’t think it’d be the smartest thing to totally revamp the lineup.”
One player who can find his way into the lineup before Friday’s 7 p.m. first pitch is freshman outfielder TJ Hopkins. Hopkins saw action in both SEC Tournament games, going 0-for-3.
Aside from his performance in Hoover, Hopkins has been a sparkplug for the offense in his 24 starts this season. He’s batting .326 on the year with a home run and 20 RBIs.
Hopkins has played in center and right field, but could see some time in left during the regional this weekend. Recently when the Summerville native starts, he plays in center and Dom Thompson-Williams moves to left field. Alex Destino then takes over as the DH.
“Could I put TJ Hopkins in there more? Probably. Is that an option of mine? Yeah. I’m wrestling with putting him at the top of our lineup and letting him go,” Holbrook said. “I’m not to the point to say definitively that’s what I’m doing, but that’s an option for us. I’m going to certainly pick the spots he’s in there and can make a difference for our team.”
While Hopkins can be solid offensively, his defense is heralded and he came up big in the Gamecocks’ SEC East-clinching game against Alabama.
With the bases loaded, two outs in a tight game, Hopkins chased down a ball destined for the gap in left center and made a running grab to end the inning.
And with the Gamecocks trying to jumpstart the offense against a good Rhode Island Friday-night starter, Hopkins is an incredibly viable option Friday night, and could bat early.
“He’s a stud. He doesn’t have to hit the ball well to cause havoc,” Holbrook said. “He can impact the game in a lot of ways outside what he does in the batters box. We might need that energy in our lineup as we go forward.”
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