Friday Baseball Update From Columbia

by SID - Weather in Columbia is 82 degrees and partly cloudy so we should be good to go tonight.

The starting lineup is nearly the same as all three games from last weekend except in centerfield where Jonathan White is back in the lineup. South Carolina's starting pitcher Sam Dyson is a hard throwing right-hander and White has had success against such hurlers in the past.

The ball was a launching pad in batting practice with both teams hitting several balls out. The wind should die down when the sun goes down so it may not play as big a factor as in a day game.

Mike Minor has had four straight games with double-digits strikeouts and has fared well against the Gamecocks in the past. In 2007 he made his first SEC start against SC in Columbia and struck out nine in seven innings, allowing one run on five hits to pick up the win. In 2008, he went 8.2 innings with 10 strikeouts, allowing three runs on six hits in a no decision.

The last two seasons both Friday night games have gone to extra innings with the Dores coming away with 4-3 wins.

Carolina Stadium is a beautiful ballpark. More about it during the day tomorrow. Time to get ready for the game.

1. Brian Harris SS
2. Steven Liddle RF
3. Curt Casali 1B
4. Andrew Giobbi C
5. Aaron Westlake DH
6. Joe Loftus LF
7. Riley Reynolds 2B
8. Jason Esposito 3B
9. Jonathan White CF
Mike Minor LHP

Check out our complete series preview at VUcommodores.com with links to track the action live.