Rain Expected as South Carolina Hosts Princeton in Doubleheader Opener

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Interstat) — The South Carolina Gamecocks look to continue their strong early-season form when they host the Princeton Tigers in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday at Carolina Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. under a forecast of 71-degree temperatures and rain.

The Gamecocks (9-5) enter having won three of their last four, including a 4-1 midweek victory over Charleston Southern on Wednesday. Princeton (2-5) snapped a five-game skid with an 8-7 win at Duke on March 1 but dropped the other three games of that series by a combined score of 29-8.

A key matchup will feature Princeton right-hander Will Sword, coming off a dominant relief appearance, against a South Carolina lineup averaging over six runs per game. Sword was pivotal in the Tigers’ lone recent win, throwing three hitless, scoreless innings with four strikeouts against Duke. However, he allowed four earned runs in two innings in a loss at NC State on Feb. 21.

South Carolina is expected to counter with right-hander Connor Chicoli, who delivered 4 1/3 scoreless innings of relief against Charleston Southern. His season has been uneven, as he surrendered five hits and three runs in two innings in a loss to Queens (N.C.) on Feb. 25.

Princeton’s offense will lean on right fielder Jake Koonin, who went 3-for-4 with an RBI in the win over Duke. The Tigers have struggled to generate runs consistently, scoring three or fewer runs in five of their seven games.

South Carolina’s bullpen has been a strength, with Alex Valentin and Brandon Stone combining for 4 2/3 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts in the midweek win.

The Gamecocks’ upcoming schedule intensifies next weekend with a Southeastern Conference series at Florida. Princeton continues a lengthy road trip through the Carolinas, with games at Winthrop and Wofford following this series.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is South Carolina 5, Princeton 3.

The second game of the doubleheader will begin approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of the opener.