COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Defending champion South Carolina opens NCAA regional play against the country's top home run threat when the Gamecocks face Georgia Southern and sophomore power hitter Victor Roache.

Roache leads the nation with 30 homers, which is both a school and Southern Conference record. The Gamecocks will counter with bulldog starter Michael Roth, a lefty who ranks third in the nation with a 1.17 earned run average.

South Carolina and Georgia Southern play Friday night at Carolina Stadium. Stetson and North Carolina State begin play in the double-elimination regional that afternoon.

The Roth-Roache matchup is likely to keep the packed house buzzing throughout the day. Roth has an 11-3 mark for South Carolina and has not allowed an earned run in his past two starts.

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