2017 College Preseason Top 25 Capsules: No. 5 South Carolina

5. South Carolina

2016 Record (Ranking): 46-18 (14). RPI: 13.
Coach (Record at school): Chad Holbrook (165-81, 4 years)
Postseason History: 31 regionals (active streak: 1), 11 CWS trips (last in 2012), 2 national titles (last in 2011).

After a disappointing 2015 season in which South Carolina missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1999, the Gamecocks came roaring back in 2016. They won the rugged Southeastern Conference East Division and reached super regionals. Their season came to an abrupt halt when Oklahoma State swept them in the Columbia Super Regional. While it was a disappointing end, it was the best record in coach Chad Holbrook’s four seasons, and he said it left the Gamecocks motivated for more.

“They have a bad taste in their mouth from not reaching their ultimate goals,” he said. “They have the confidence and they think they’re good team. Last year helped them feel good about themselves. Now they have to take that momentum and cash in on it.”

With a strong group of returners, especially on the pitching staff, the Gamecocks are positioned to do just that.

South Carolina has the makings of what should be one of the best pitching staffs in the country. Righthanders Clarke Schmidt and Adam Hill return to the rotation, and key relievers Tyler Johnson, Josh Reagan and Reed Scott are all back for another season. The Gamecocks also receive a boost as healthy righthanders Wil Crowe and Cody Morris return after missing last season due to Tommy John surgery.

Crowe, 8-3, 2.75 as a freshman in 2014, was South Carolina’s ace until his injury in 2015. Holbrook said he figured Crowe’s college career was over when he learned the then-sophomore would need surgery. But Crowe was adamant that he wanted to pitch for the Gamecocks again and has worked hard in his rehab to get back to full strength.

With Crowe and Schmidt, Holbrook has two pitchers with experience pitching on Friday nights. Holbrook will evaluate how they perform in preseason scrimmages before deciding who will front the rotation this season, but he knows he has an enviable choice to make.

“I can’t make the wrong decision in regards to that one,” he said. “I feel good about those choices and they’re fine with however it goes. They’re team guys.”

Pitching will be the Gamecocks’ strength this season, but their offense also has promise. Outfielder Alex Destino led the team with 10 home runs last season and is back to anchor the lineup. Holbrook is excited about the offensive development of catcher Chris Cullen. He was steady behind the plate as a freshman, but after gaining 25 pounds and leading South Carolina in hitting during fall ball, Holbrook believes Cullen is ready to take on a bigger role offensively.

South Carolina’s 11th-ranked recruiting class should deliver some impact hitters from the jump, particularly Carlos Cortes and junior college transfer Jacob Olson. Cortes was possibly the best prep hitter in Florida last year, while Olson adds athleticism. The Gamecocks also appear to have one of the more versatile lineups in the country. Nearly all their hitters can play multiple positions, giving Holbrook plenty of options to consider as he makes out the lineup.

“I don’t want to play musical chairs too much,” he said. “But we do have some experience on the team in several positions, even though some haven’t been leaders of the team.”

While Holbrook is still sorting out how the Gamecocks will line up defensively and on the mound, the pieces are all there for another strong season. Holbrook is excited to see how they come together as a team as South Carolina aims for a return to Omaha.

“We are strong on the mound and do have some good pieces that all the guys are excited about,” he said. “I think this group has a chance to be a special team.”

2017 LINEUP
Pos.	Name, Yr.	AVG	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI	SB
C	Chris Cullen, So.	.238	.337	.333	1	23	2
1B	Carlos Cortes, Fr.	HS—Oviedo, Fla.
2B	L.T. Tolbert, So.	.229	.306	.323	3	27	5
3B	Jonah Bride, Jr.	.283	.393	.363	2	32	8
SS	Madison Stokes, Jr.	.304	.371	.382	1	12	5
LF	Alex Destino, Jr.	.321	.373	.509	10	59	2
CF	Danny Blair, Sr.	.250	.300	.321	0	4	1
RF	T.J. Hopkins, So.	.322	.388	.405	1	26	8
DH	John Jones, Jr.	.269	.372	.420	7	49	1
Pos.	Name, Yr.	W	L	ERA	IP	SO	SV
RHP	Clarke Schmidt, Jr.	9	5	3.40	111	129	0
RHP	Wil Crowe, R-Jr.	Did not play—Injured
RHP	Adam Hill, So.	7	0	3.53	66	72	0
RP	Tyler Johnson, Jr.	3	2	2.42	52	59	9