Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

The rain is gone and beautiful June baseball weather has hit Omaha, allowing the 2012 College World Series to get on with things.

Last night’s rainout between South Carolina and Kent State will be played at 11 a.m. today and is televised on ESPN2. More importantly, Razorback fans, coaches and players can figure out who the Hogs will face tonight at 8 p.m. for a chance to advance to the national championship series. After two days off, odds are the Hogs are chomping at the bit ready to take the field again. But who will they face?

Although the Hogs are sitting pretty at 2-0 in Bracket 2, their ticket isn’t punched for Sunday just yet. Teams don’t reach Omaha without having talented depth and they definitely don’t hang around this long. Just two years ago on its route to its first national championship, South Carolina lost a first-round game to Oklahoma. Then the Gamecocks reeled off four straight victories, including two over Clemson to advance to the finals versus UCLA.

Clemson was in the 2-0, beat-me-twice position and didn’t have the horses to upend its in-state rivals. Cinderella Kent State has knocked all the butterflies and doubt away with its victory over Florida. They now feel like they belong and they do.

Don’t underestimate two-time defending national champ South Carolina with Coach Ray Tanner, who is arguably the top skipper in college baseball, or a hungry, we-have-something-to-prove upstart like Kent State. Here a few things to watch for as today progresses in Omaha:

Gamecocks vs. Golden Flashes

Last night’s rainout gave Tanner an opportunity to make a change regarding who will start the elimination game with Kent State. He bumped freshman lefty Jordan Montgomery (5-1, 4.05 ERA) for ace Michael Roth (8-1, 2.60 ERA). Montgomery had a few big-game starts during the year and his only loss came in the Saturday game versus Arkansas in their early May, SEC series. But Montgomery only had one more decision the remainder of the season and his innings have tailed off down the stretch.

Roth on the other hand has been Tanner’s go-to guy in just about every huge game the Gamecocks have played over the last three seasons. Tanner knows he can’t save pitching given that a loss ends the season.

Smart move by Tanner and good news for the Hogs as Roth won’t be a factor in tonight’s game if the Gamecocks advance. Arkansas would also benefit if the Gamecocks had to burn through ace relievers Tyler Webb (6-1, 1.70 ERA) and closer Matt Price (4-4, 12 saves, 3.38 ERA). Odds are the Hogs see Webb a lot if he goes unused as he completely shut down the Hogs in relief earlier this week. South Carolina could possibly start Montgomery if it wants to try to steal a few innings early then turn it over to the bullpen.

Kent State has a solid starter ready to go today in big right-hander Tyler Skulina (11-2, 3.63 ERA). Skulina, a University of Virginia transfer, was the starter in the Super Regional championship game that KSU won over No. 5 Oregon in Eugene. Oregon’s 5,000-seat PK Park doesn’t quite match up with the 25,000 TD Ameritrade Park and a national audience so we will see if Skulina can handle the pressure.  Kent State’s bullpen looked very out of sorts in its victory over Florida and odds are South Carolina won’t let it escape like that today.

Kent State would likely throw every arm it has available to win today’s game in an attempt to advance. It truly has nothing to lose. All of the Golden Flashes’ arms are ready including game one starter David Starn. If Starn isn’t used in the early game, the Hogs would likely get another crack at him in tonight’s game if the Flashes advance.

On paper, Kent State is the better offensive team but a lot of those statistics were racked up against teams below the caliber of a lower-tier SEC team. The Gamecocks don’t blow anyone’s doors off with their offensive statistics. South Carolina’s batting average (.270) is actually lower than that of the much-maligned Razorback offense (.273). Funny how the ESPN guys never mention that. South Carolina is typically opportunistic though and that is the key this time of year. It’s all about timely hitting against quality pitching. 

Who will show up for the earlier than usual game this morning still hung over from sitting and waiting at the ballpark last night watching it rain? KSU has some nice pieces and everyone loves the underdog but can they knock off two SEC powerhouse teams in Omaha? Odds are no and look for the experienced, battle tested Gamecocks to advance.