Diamond Dogs Preview: This Weekend's Sweep Will Be Brought to You by South Carolina

Fifteen games into the Southeastern Conference baseball season, the Diamond Dogs are getting ready to take on an Eastern Division opponent for the first time in 2010. That’s right . . . Georgia has yet to cross paths with an SEC East team this season. That changes tomorrow night, when the Classic City Canines take on a Gamecock squad that has posted a 5-1 record against division foes.

South Carolina, like Georgia, is coming off of a 4-2 midweek victory over a Palmetto State opponent. The Gamecocks are in first place in the SEC East, with an 11-4 conference ledger, and their 29-8 record includes an 8-5 mark in away games.

Both teams’ pitching staffs have provided their fans with surprises, but, while the Bulldog hurlers have disappointed, the Garnet and Black pitchers have exceeded expectations. In conference play, South Carolina has the league’s lowest earned run average (2.98), lowest batting average allowed (.218), fewest hits allowed (104), fewest runs allowed (56), fewest earned runs allowed (44), fewest doubles allowed (13), fewest triples allowed (0), fewest home runs allowed (7), most batters struck out looking (44), second-most batters struck out (129), and second-fewest walks issued (44).

Through April 18, South Carolina and Georgia ranked ninth and twelfth in the conference in overall team batting average. As a club, the Palmetto State Poultry hit .292 in their first 36 games, during which they belted 70 doubles and nine triples. Likewise, the Classic City Canines hit .282 in their first 36 games, during which they belted 77 doubles and nine triples. At the plate, the two teams are comparable; unfortunately, in addition to being last in the league in overall batting average, the Bulldogs are last in the league in overall ERA (8.67).

Go ‘Dawgs!