SMC Diamond: Notes, News, And Season Week 9
SMC Update:
The No. 11 Pioneers (26-10, 9-5) had a rough weekend, dropping all four games on the road at USC Sumter in their Region X weekend series. SMC's bullpen was unable to hold late leads in game one, a 9-8 loss, and game four, a 7-4 loss. They also fell 9-3 in game two and 14-5 in game three.
Who's hot:
IF/DH Luke Tollison was the biggest bright spot for the Pioneers on the weekend, going 6 for 14 with a pair of doubles, a home run, and six RBI. He is now tied for the team lead with CF Travis Burnside in home runs (5) and RBI (33), while also leading the team in doubles (12). Burnside had a 5 for 12 series with a double and two RBI, boosting his team best batting average to .377. He reached base safely eight times in 15 plate appearances. 1B Tyler Jackson saw little to hit on the weekend, drawing five walks in 14 plate appearances to take over the team lead in that category (21). He reached base seven times to boost his team leading on-base percentage to .509. His impressive 21-10 walk-to-strikeout ratio is the team's best. Shortstop Champ Rowland went 5 for 13 with a double and two RBI.
SMC Upcoming Games:
- vs. USC Salkehatchie – Tuesday, April 5 – 2 pm
- vs. USC Lancaster at Chester – Wednesday, April 6 – 2 pm
- vs. Louisburg – Saturday, April 9 – 1 pm
- vs. Louisburg – Sunday, April 10 – 1 pm
College Alumni Update:
Josh Adams, RHP, Georgia Southern – Picked up his team-leading fifth win of the season Saturday over The Citadel, throwing 6.1 innings, surrendering five hits and two runs while striking out three.
Steve Cochrane, 1B, Georgia Southern – Went 4 for 12 with two doubles and four RBI in a series win over The Citadel.
Marty Gantt, LHP/OF, College of Charleston – Went 5 for 14 with one double, two RBI, and four runs scored for the Cougars in a series sweep over Western Carolina.
Kyle Owings, RHP, College of Charleston – Earned his team-leading fifth save of the season on Friday to nail down a 6-3 win over Western Carolina. He pitched a scoreless 8th and 9th, striking out six.
John Long, RHP, East Tennessee State – Earned the win on Friday night over Florida Gulf Coast with 7.2 IP, allowing four runs and scattering eight hits while walking two and striking out eight.
