South Carolina will face its final non-conference opponent before the start of SEC play as Furman is set to take on the Gamecocks (15-0) on Tuesday night at Carolina Stadium. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. as the Paladins (6-9) are in the fourth game of an eight games in nine days stretch.

South Carolina freshman Taylor Widener will make his first career start on the mound as the Gamecocks (15-0) look to stay perfect on the season with a win over Furman

Leading off

Opponent: Furman Paladins (6-9)

Time: Tuesday night at 7 p.m.

Place: Carolina Stadium (8,242)

Television: None but live-streamed on Gamecocks Online

Last time out: Furman won 6-5 at Fluor Field on April 3, 2013

Radio: 1320 AM until 8 p.m. … 107.5 The Game from 8 p.m. until conclusion (Sirius N/A; XM N/A)

Pitching probables

RHP Taylor Widener: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4.0 IP, 0 BB, 6 K

LHP Billy Greenfield: 1-0, 5.40 ERA, 10.0 IP, 5 BB, 6 K

Notes

-- South Carolina sophomore Max Schrock (ankle) had his cast taken off on Monday. He took batting practice with the team while in a walking boot but did not run around or take ground balls. The staff should know more later today or possibly Wednesday about his status for the weekend. It is hopeful he is able to return to the lineup on Friday against Ole Miss in the SEC opener.

Junior Joey Pankake (hamstring) did not do anything at practice on Monday and is not expected to play against the Paladins. He is, however, more likely of the two to play on Tuesday night though. He will be able to play against the Rebels this weekend.

-- South Carolina right-handed pitcher Evan Beal was examined by doctors on Sunday after the game and was cleared to begin throwing again. He threw off the mound for the first time in approximately a month on Monday. He is likely to be available for the weekend series against Ole Miss.

-- The Gamecocks have posted eight shutouts in 15 games so far this season. The school record for shutouts in a season is 14, which was set in 1975.

-- The baseball team will honor South Carolina student Martha Childress before the game on Tuesday night. Fans are encouraged to arrive and be in the stadium by 6:50 p.m. For those who are not familiar with Childress, here is her story.

-- On the mound for the Paladins is left-handed pitcher Billy Greenfield. He isn’t a typical junk-balling lefty though as he has a little bit of velocity on his fastball, which will climb to around 86 mph on the radar gun. Greenfield, a freshman, is making his first start on the mound but he does have six relief appearances so far this season.

-- Former South Carolina pitcher Greg Harrison is now a senior for Furman and the team’s top hitter. So far this season, the right-handed hitter sports a .350 batting average with one home run and 10 RBIs. Outfielder Heath Burton is hitting .302 with a home run and 10 RBIs.

-- South Carolina is 168-32 in all-time games at Carolina Stadium, a winning percentage of .840. That is the best winning percentage of all 14 SEC schools since opening the facility. South Carolina has two sellouts this year and 32 in school history at Carolina Stadium. South Carolina has totaled 95,393 in attendance in the first 13 home games for an average of 7,337 per contest.

Quotes

-- It’s going to be a tight game. It always is. They give us our best shot every time we play them. They have some guys who are older. The Burton boys can run. They have some guys who can pop the ball out of the park. I’m finally glad the Gamecock-killer Will Muzika graduated. At least I don’t have to see him because we couldn’t figure that guy out. It’s a big game for them and they’ll play very, very hard. They’ll be a good team. - South Carolina head coach Chad Holbrook

-- I’m excited about Tuesday. Not only do we get to play, but I’m exceptionally excited about being able to welcome Martha Childers and her family here. I’m going to get more enjoyment than that probably than I am the game. You have a beautiful girl doing nothing wrong and her life and her family’s lives were changed. I’m lucky that she gets to inspire our team. She’s inspired our state and university, but our players will get a first hand look at how fortunate they are. She’s a big Gamecock and she’ll inspire us. Meeting her and her family will do a lot for our team and I’m excited about that. - South Carolina head coach Chad Holbrook

