In just the last few weeks of the season, we've seen the range of freshman Evan Marzilli's talents.
He can totally shred on an ax.
He can hit for power (example: his crucial two-run blast against Bucknell last night).
He can hit in the clutch (tonight's two-run base hit off Citadel ace Asher Wojciechowski).
With runners at second and third base, head coach Ray Tanner elected to pinch-hit Marzilli for left fielder Adam Matthews. The SEC All-Freshman selection battled Wojciechowski before hitting a 3-2 breaking ball to center field, tying the score at 4-4 in the seventh inning.
"I was just able to get a hold of a ball and get some work done for my team," said Marzilli.
"I didn't make a good pitch and he was able to do something with it," said Wojciechowski.
"To ask him in go in that situation I put him in was very difficult," said Tanner. "The fact that [Wojciechowski] got two strikes on him, took a pitch, fouled another one off and was able to hit a breaking ball into the outfield to tie the game up was impressive."
Coop Comes Through
At last night's post-game press conference, Tanner stated that Cooper would be the underdog tonight when he faced off against future first-rounder Wojciechowski.
"It will be familiar territory for Blake Cooper," said Tanner.
But after yet another performance where the senior out-dueled a highly-rated pitcher, it was the underdog who came out on top for his 11th win of the season.
"He's battled with the best and he's been special for us this season," said Tanner.
Cooper pitched seven innings, allowing no earned runs and setting a career high for strikeouts with twelve. Aside from three wild pitches and a throwing error that kept innings alive for The Citadel and helped them plate four runs, the right hander was in control for most of the night.
"His slider was so tight and our guys couldn't pick it up," said Jordan. "He carved us up. He wobbled a bit in the fifth, but he bounced right back. His performance was impressive."
"I felt like my off-speed stuff was good and I had good command of my curveball and slider," said Cooper.
Tanner says Cooper's ability to throw four quality pitches for strikes is what makes him so effective.
"He's got a 2-seamer, a slider, a curve and a change-up. He's a four-pitch guy - people know that and they have to respect that," he said.
Mr. June?
After coming into the weekend batting just 2-for-20, junior Adrian Morales has erased any lingering doubts of a slump after his performance so far. The infielder finished a triple shy of the cycle tonight, batting 3-for-4 with three RBI. For the weekend, Morales is 6-for-9 with six RBI and two home runs.
"He likes to win. He's only been here a year, but he feels very accountable when things are going well," said Tanner. "He'll compete for you. His intensity at practice was as good as anybody's this week. He's a guy that likes being in there. You stick with those guys."
One Win Away
The Gamecocks will play tomorrow at 7 p.m. against the winner of the Virginia Tech-Citadel game at 2 p.m. Tanner said senior Jay Brown is likely to start. A win on Sunday evening would clinch the regional for South Carolina and propel them to the Super Regional.
Approximately 1,000 bleacher and reserved seats are available for tomorrow's game as well as 1,500 standing room only tickets. Tickets can be purchased at the Carolina Stadium Box Office (opens at 12:30 p.m.) or online now by clicking here.
He can totally shred on an ax.
He can hit for power (example: his crucial two-run blast against Bucknell last night).
He can hit in the clutch (tonight's two-run base hit off Citadel ace Asher Wojciechowski).
With runners at second and third base, head coach Ray Tanner elected to pinch-hit Marzilli for left fielder Adam Matthews. The SEC All-Freshman selection battled Wojciechowski before hitting a 3-2 breaking ball to center field, tying the score at 4-4 in the seventh inning.
"I was just able to get a hold of a ball and get some work done for my team," said Marzilli.
"I didn't make a good pitch and he was able to do something with it," said Wojciechowski.
"To ask him in go in that situation I put him in was very difficult," said Tanner. "The fact that [Wojciechowski] got two strikes on him, took a pitch, fouled another one off and was able to hit a breaking ball into the outfield to tie the game up was impressive."
Coop Comes Through
At last night's post-game press conference, Tanner stated that Cooper would be the underdog tonight when he faced off against future first-rounder Wojciechowski.
"It will be familiar territory for Blake Cooper," said Tanner.
But after yet another performance where the senior out-dueled a highly-rated pitcher, it was the underdog who came out on top for his 11th win of the season.
"He's battled with the best and he's been special for us this season," said Tanner.
Cooper pitched seven innings, allowing no earned runs and setting a career high for strikeouts with twelve. Aside from three wild pitches and a throwing error that kept innings alive for The Citadel and helped them plate four runs, the right hander was in control for most of the night.
"His slider was so tight and our guys couldn't pick it up," said Jordan. "He carved us up. He wobbled a bit in the fifth, but he bounced right back. His performance was impressive."
"I felt like my off-speed stuff was good and I had good command of my curveball and slider," said Cooper.
Tanner says Cooper's ability to throw four quality pitches for strikes is what makes him so effective.
"He's got a 2-seamer, a slider, a curve and a change-up. He's a four-pitch guy - people know that and they have to respect that," he said.
Mr. June?
After coming into the weekend batting just 2-for-20, junior Adrian Morales has erased any lingering doubts of a slump after his performance so far. The infielder finished a triple shy of the cycle tonight, batting 3-for-4 with three RBI. For the weekend, Morales is 6-for-9 with six RBI and two home runs.
"He likes to win. He's only been here a year, but he feels very accountable when things are going well," said Tanner. "He'll compete for you. His intensity at practice was as good as anybody's this week. He's a guy that likes being in there. You stick with those guys."
One Win Away
The Gamecocks will play tomorrow at 7 p.m. against the winner of the Virginia Tech-Citadel game at 2 p.m. Tanner said senior Jay Brown is likely to start. A win on Sunday evening would clinch the regional for South Carolina and propel them to the Super Regional.
Approximately 1,000 bleacher and reserved seats are available for tomorrow's game as well as 1,500 standing room only tickets. Tickets can be purchased at the Carolina Stadium Box Office (opens at 12:30 p.m.) or online now by clicking here.
Leave a comment