Holbrook to start Schmidt Sunday
Willie T. Smith III
wtsmith@greenvillenews.com
COLUMBIA – With the biggest game of the season facing his team, South Carolina baseball coach is going with what he considered his top starting pitcher, Clarke Schmidt.
"I'm pretty sure it will be Schmidt," Holbrook said. "You have to go with your best guy and Schmidt's been our best guy from a starting standpoint."
An All-Southeastern Conference second team selection, the sophomore is 9-4 with a 3.33 earned run average. He has struck out 123 batters in 105 1/3 innings, while walking 25.
Holbrook is trusting Schmidt to deliver in a game in which a loss means the end of the season for USC as Oklahoma enters with a one-game edge in the Super Regional.
The first team claiming two wins books a trip to Omaha to compete in the College World Series.
Following a sensation beginning this season, Schmidt has not been as effective in his recent starts.
He allowed one run on two hits in an inning of relief against UNCW on Tuesday.
His last victory came against Kentucky on May 6th. In his last three starts, his longest outing has been for and two/thirds innings against Alabama on May 19th.
He allowed four runs in four and two/third innings in a no-decision.
Schmidt hasn't pitched more than four and two/third innings since May 19th.
That hasn't shaken Holbrook's confidence in Schmidt.
"We'll have Schmidt, then Tyler Johnson and (Josh) Reagan ready to go (Sunday)," said Holbrook. "Those are our best guys. If we lose (Sunday) we will have lost with our best guys."
Holbrook opted not to pitch Schmidt Saturday due him throwing 114 pitches in a 5-4 loss to Rhode Island on June 3.
He followed that with an 18-pitch stint against UNCW.
"We could have gone with Clarke (Saturday) but Braden (Webb) pitched great," said Holbrook. "He kept us in the game. He did all you could ask him to do.
"Braden threw less bullets last weekend that Clarke did and Braden recovered a little quicker this week. That's why we made the decision."
By opting to go with Schmidt, his Friday night starter all season, Tyler Johnson who is coming off a complete game win in his lone start of the season and Reagan, the Gamecocks closer, Holbrook believes he's giving his team its best shot at victory.
"I think our pitching staff has re-energized itself after a long weekend last weekend," he said. "We're going to have to play some darn good baseball, but we have a chance with our best guys on the mound."