The data told Mark Kingston in the preseason that South Carolina had plenty of power-hitting potential.
The baseballs rocketing off Gamecock bats on Sunday confirmed that and then some, as USC got four home runs and senior TJ Hopkins hit for the cycle in a 12-3 win over Valparaiso, sweeping the Crusaders in the process.
After getting back-to-back long balls to claim a walk-off win Saturday, Carolina’s power surge continued in the series finale, led by Hopkins, the first Gamecock to hit for the cycle since April 2015, and senior third baseman Jacob Olson, who twice went deep to left field for five RBIs.