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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina baseball coach Ray Tanner likes the experience the Gamecocks bring into this season.

Tanner says his pitching staff is deeper and better seasoned as South Carolina opens the year on Friday against Duquesne at Carolina Stadium

The Gamecocks will need their pitchers to click early as the team adjusts to missing two very big bats in the lineup in first baseman Nick Ebert and outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr.

Ebert is waiting out academic problems and Tanner is unsure when they might be resolved. Bradley broke his right hand and it will be at least a month into the season before he can think about coming back.

The two combined for 34 homers and 118 RBIs last season.

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