 A Few Thoughts From The Weekend That Was
posted by Scott Hood, 3/31/2008 01:04:00 PM
After watching two football practices, including a scrimmage, three baseball games and trying to monitor closely the search for a new basketball coach this past weekend, here are a few meandering thoughts. FOOTBALL: Yeah, Steve Spurrier has concerns about the offensive line, quarterback and wide receiver, but here’s the key question concerning the Gamecock offense right now: How does USC get the ball to sophomore tight end Weslye Saunders?You could even throw Jared Cook into the mix. It’s apparent to me that the duo of Saunders and Cook could become USC’s second and third best receiving threats next season behind WR Kenny McKinley. Yes, they’re that good. It’s not a coincidence that all three TD tosses in Saturday’s scrimmage went to Cook and Saunders. Saunders, in particular, is a beast. He catches absolutely everything. He rarely, if ever, drops a catchable pass. I’ve seen him make some jaw-dropping receptions in practice during the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. Of course, he has to improve his blocking, but I think that will come in time. Cook is the same way. He’s fast enough to give defensive backs all they can handle. But, being a tight end, he just has to outrun linebackers. If Cook masters the art of blocking, he has the ability to become an all-conference player. Saunders and Cook combined for 42 receptions in 2007, 30 by Cook. I can see the duo totaling 60 to 70 catches this season, provided they remain healthy, learn to block and hang on to the ball. If they do, they could make life a lot easier for McKinley and the other USC wide receivers, not to mention Spurrier and the quarterbacks. BASEBALL: I thought the USC baseball team showed an incredible amount of mental toughness recovering from Friday’s 15-3 shellacking to win the final two games of their SEC series against Kentucky. But, it should have come as no surprise to USC fans considering they accomplished the same thing last season against Auburn following a 16-1 loss in the first game of the series. Believe it or not, we’re still not finished with March yet and the 2008 regular season is approaching the halfway mark. Obviously, the most important question is how the bullpen will perform over the second half of the season with the loss of Curtis Johnson. However, Brandon Todd showed signs this weekend that he’s ready to take over Johnson’s role. If you don’t know much about Todd, you’re not alone. But you should, since he may hold the key to USC’s season in the second half. Todd, a senior from Ocala, Fla., picked up his first career win Sunday’s 6-2 victory over UK. He has 16 strikeouts in 10.0 innings this season, nearly two per inning, but he’s not a fireballer like Sam Dyson. Right now, there’s no question USC will come close to or exceed 40 regular season wins again. They have a big three-game series in Athens next weekend against Georgia. It’s very important because the Gamecocks and the Bulldogs could be battling for the right to host a NCAA Regional when it’s time for the all-holy, all-powerful organization that runs collegiate athletics to determine such things. But you can’t help but look ahead to the potential showdown series against Florida May 2-4 at Sarge Frye Field. It looks like the Gators have a pretty good team this year. They lead the SEC East with a 7-2 conference mark, one game ahead of USC (6-3) and Georgia. Buckle in, because it looks like it's going to be an exciting race in the SEC East. BASKETBALL: Right now, I’m 95 percent certain Darrin Horn will become the next basketball coach at USC. I wrote yesterday that USC A.D. Eric Hyman and the Western Kentucky coach were close to finalizing a contract. I still believe that’s the case. However, you have to understand that contracts for Div. I head coaches in BCS conferences are incredibly complicated with dozens and dozens of provisions. The parties try to account for every possible scenario. The key question is always what happens if things don’t work out. In addition, the Western Kentucky A.D. will likely try to make a last-minute bid to retain Horn. Remember, Horn and his wife are both graduates of WKU, so don’t be surprised if the AD plays the loyalty card and puts a major league guilt trip on Horn. Remember, Arkansas was burned last year by a coach that turned tail and ran back to his former school after being introduced as the Razorbacks’ new coach. And I don’t think I have to remind USC fans about Bobby Cremins. Once all the minute details are worked out, Hyman will formally offer Horn the job, he’ll accept and there will be a festive press conference introducing him to Gamecock Nation. When will that happen? Likely later this week, possibly as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday. Is Horn a good hire? Yes. He’s exactly what USC needed – an energetic young coach with the charisma to breathe life into a program that hasn’t been over .500 in the SEC in a decade (1997-1998). But let’s be realistic. Is Horn the first choice of Hyman? No. That honor, if you want to call it that, goes to Anthony Grant, Jeff Capel, Sean Miller, or possibly someone else whose name hasn’t been discussed in public. But it’s important to remember schools rarely, if ever, get their top target. Hey, it just happened to Indiana, one of the top college basketball programs in the country. They were snubbed over the weekend by Washington State head coach Tony Bennett, who rejected the Hoosiers’ overtures to stay in Pullman, Wash. That means the perception is Indiana will have to “settle” for their second choice or someone else further down the list. So, it happens to everybody. Nevertheless, in the end, I think Hyman snagged a good one. I look for Horn to enjoy a lot of success in Columbia.
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USC-Kentucky Game 3 Blog - Sun. 3/30
posted by Scott Hood, 3/30/2008 02:21:00 PM
4:40 - Brandon Todd still piching for USC. Strikeout. Attendance today is 1,083. Strikeout again. The UK batters storms out of the box. He's upset. 2 outs. Diving catch in CF. USC WINS 6-2. 4:30 - Reese Havens up. Base hit to RF! Run scores. It's 5-2 USC. Merrifield up. Bunt. The picher falls down! Run scores. Merrifield reaches. It's 6-2 USC. Danell X-3 to end the inning. WE GO TO THE NINTH WITH USC LEADING 6-2. 4:25 - Adam Crisp strikes out. 2 outs. Lail up. Base hit to LF! Here's the throw. It's a poor one. Run scores. It's 4-2 USC as we continue to play here in the B8. Pitching change for UK. This would be a huge win if USC can hold off the Cats in the T9. 4:20 - Base hit to left for Disher! Run scores. USC leads 3-2. Clutch hitting right there by the South Aiken grad. Adam Crisp up. Big hit by Disher. He does have a knack for coming up with the big hit. 4:15 - Smoak walks to lead off the 8th. Enders bunts. The ball goesd about 2 feet in front of the plate. The catcher throws to second. Smoak is safe! Wow. Bad decision there. USC has runners at 1&2, 0 outs. Crisp up. Now he has 2 srikes. He tries to bunt again. Foul. He's out. That's poor execution right there. 1 out. Disher up. 4:05 - Leadoff walk for UK. There's an attempted steal. Enders does it again! What a cannon he's got. That was huge right there. Strikeout 2-3. 2 outs in the T8. 4-3 for the 3rd out. We go to the B8 with the score tied at 2-2. Smoak, Enders and Crisp due. 4:00 - Darnell up with 2 outs in B7. Lail at third. F-8. UK gets out of the jam. Golden opportunity goes by the board for USC. We head to the T8 with the score tied at 2-2. 3:52 - Wild pich! Lail to 2B. Havens still up. 3-1 groundout. Lail to 3B. Merrifield up. 3-2 count. Strikeout. Ouch. That hurt. 2 outs. Darnell up. Lail still at third. Here comes the UK coach. Another pitching change. 3:50 - Lail walks to lead off the 7th. That's big. Here comes the UK coach. He's upset. He's chewing out the pitcher. He makes the call to the bullpen. LHP coming in. Havens up. 0 outs in B7. 3:42 - Todd gets out of the jam wit a 4-3. We go to the B7 with the score tied at 2-2. Lail leads off for USC. 3:40: Some 2-out lightning for UK in the T7. The score is tied a 2-2 with runners at the corners with 2 outs. Brandon Todd is the new pitcher for USC. Cooper's line: 6.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K. 3:25 - It looks like Adam Crisp will PH for Mack. Hit up the middle. UK 2B gloves the ball and flips to 2B for the forceout. We go to the T7 with USC leading, 2-1. 3:15 - It's up to Enders here to make UK pay for IBB on Smoak. 1 out. He K's. 2 outs. But there's an infield single by Crisp. Bases loaded for Disher. Chopper into the hole. Long throw. Safe! Run scores. USC leads 2-1 in B6. Here comes the UK coach. New pitcher for the Wildcats. 3:10 - UK out in the T6. We go to the B6 tied at 1-1. Merrifield leads off with a single to left. Darnell K's. Smoak Int. BB. Runners at 1&2, 1 out. UK coach is out for a talk. 3:00 - Havens K's. We go to the T6 with the score still tied at 1-1. 2:55 - We're in the bottom of the 5th. Mack just walked with 2 outs. There's an infield single to third by Lail. Havens up. Runners at 2&3. 2:45 - UK has a runner thrown out trying to steal third for the final out in the T5. UK is going for the "home run of baserunning." All they need is a runner thrown out at the plate and they'll get it. So far, they've already had runners thrown out at 1st, 2nd and 3rd. We go to the B5 with the score still tied at 1-1. 2:40 - USC's 3-4-5 hitters go down in order in the 4th. This one is turning into a pitcher's duel between Cooper and UK starter Greg Dombrowski. These 2 guys have to be two of the better Sunday starters in the SEC. UK has 2 outs, runner on 1st in the T5. 2:30 - UK runner tries to steal second but he's gunned down by Enders. We go to the B4 with USC and UK tied at 1-1. 2:20 - We've just completed the 3rd inning here at Sarge Frye Field. The score is tied at 1-1. DeAnglo Mack smacked a solo homer in the B3 to tie the score afer UK scored a run in the T3. Blake Cooper is still pitching for USC. He's pitched fairly well so far.
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USC-Kentucky Game 2 Blog - Sat. 3/29
posted by Scott Hood, 3/29/2008 04:54:00 PM
7:35 - F-9 for 2nd out. One out away from evening the series up at 1-1. Stolen base. That was risky right there. 4-3. USC WINS 13-7. Rubber game Sun. at 1:30 p.m. 7:30 - 5-3 for the first out. Runners at 2&3. hose runs are meaningless, though. USC just needs outs at this point. Single to CF. 2 runs score. It's 13-7. 7:25 - Single to lead off UK 9th. Another single to LF. 2 runners on, 0 outs. 7:20 - USC out 1-2-3 in the B8. WE GO TO THE NINTH WITH USC LEADING 13-5. Craig Thomas still pitching for USC. 7:15 - Nice 1-4-3 DP to end the T8 for USC. The ball ricocheted off Thomas, went to Crisp at 2B and he stepped on 2B and fired to 1B to complete the DP. We go to the B8 with USC leading 13-5. 7:05 - We head to the T8 with USC leading 13-5. USC has 16 hits, including 5 HR. Craig Thomas back on the mound for USC after coming on at the beginning of the 7th. 6-3 for the first out. 7:00 - ANOTHER HOME RUN FOR DARNELL! BIG BLAST TO LF. HIS THIRD OF THE DAY. THAT'S HIS SECOND 3-HR GAME IN 12 DAYS. USC NOW LEADS 13-5. 6:55 - Thanks to a nice 4-6-3 DP, UK is out in the T7. USC still leads 11-5. Adam Crisp, Havens, Merrifield due. 6:45 - UK out in the T6. A rare scoreless at-bat in today's game. USC now batting in the B6. Leadoff single by Enders but nothing else. We go to the T7 with USC leading 11-5. 6:32 - We go to the T6 with USC leadsing 11-5. The Gamecocks have 13 hits today. They've pounded UK pitching. But the Wildcats have a potent offense. Atwood still pitching as we head to the 6th. 6:30 - USC has 2 outs here in the B5. Daranell up. He has a HR and single today. There's a drive to RCF. It's off the scoreboard! Another HR for Darnell! 4 RBI for JD today. It's 11-5 USC. 6:20 - UK scores twice in the T5 on a pair of SF's. It's 9-5 USC as we head to the B5. Atwood is still pitching for USC. USC has 11 hits to 5 for UK. 6:05 - Disher K's looking. We go to the T5 with USC leading 9-3. 6:00 - The new pitcher hasn't helped UK here in the B4. USC has the bases loaded, 0 outs. Andrew Crisp grounds into a 4-6 FC. Run scores from third. It's 9-3 USC. Runners on the corners, 1 out. Lail up. Liner to 3B. Caught.Bad luck there. Smoak scrambled back to third just in time. Disher up. 5:50 - Great running catch by Lail in RF to end the T4! UK put 2 runners on but didn't score. We go to the B4 with USC leading 8-3. New pitcher for UK. 5:42 - Another big inning for USC with two HR by Disher and Havens. It's 8-3 USC as we head to the T4. USC has three HR today. The season high is 5 in a single game. 5:40 - There's a mammoth shot by Disher! 2-run HR here in the B3. It's 7-3 USC. Seventh HR of the season for Disher, who is tied with Havens for the team lead. But there's a HR by Havens! Big fly to RF. He has 8 on the season. It's 8-3 USC in the B3. 5:35 - UK is finally down in the T3 after scoring 3 runs. It's 5-3 USC as we go to the B3. And. Crisp, Lail and Disher due. 5:30 - UK has responded with 3 runs here in the T3. All 3 runs scored on a towering HR by Collin Cowgill. It's now 5-3 USC. Atwood is still pitching for USC. :20 - There's the third out in the B2. USC leads 5-0 as we go to the T3. Atwood has sailed through the first 2 Inn. He's been sitting on the bench for a while. 5:15 - Darnell up with 2 outs and Havens at third. There's a drive to LF! It's out of here! 6th HR for Darnell. It's 5-0 USC. Smoak smaokes one to CF. It hits off the base of the wall. Double. USC is swinging the bats today! Good response to the lopsides loss Friday night. 5:10 - Game 2 is going much better than game 1 for USC. We're in the B2 and USC leads, 2-0 on a RBI double by Disher and a RBI single by Havens. USC has runners at 1&3, 1 out. There's a wild pitch! Adam Crisp scores. It's 3-0 USC. 5:00 PM - We're here at Sarge Frye Field for Saturday's baseball game between USC and Kentucky. We're going to the bottom of the 2nd with the score 0-0. Will Atwood has retired 6 of the first 7 batters he's faced, so he's off to a good start. We just finished a 30-minure rain delay after the first inning.
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Should We Just Call Him Stephen Gar-SEE-YA??
posted by Scott Hood, 3/27/2008 03:31:00 AM
Stephen Garcia, thought to be the ‘next great thing,’ wasn’t ostracized until Aug. 15 for drinking beer. Eric Hyman isn’t that myopic. He tends to be an administrator that focuses on the “big picture.” Rather, the five-month suspension given to Garcia is punishment for the accumulation of a series of bonehead and sometimes bizarre decisions by an obviously immature 20-year old. There’s no question Garcia needs professional help. Steve Spurrier conceded that issue after Wednesday night’s practice. The fact Garcia was suspended didn’t surprise me. The length, however, did. I thought sitting out the rest of spring practice would have been more proportional to the offense. In my opinion, the lengthy suspension announced by Hyman will eventually serve its underlying purpose - force Garcia to transfer out of the program. At minimum, it’s designed to prevent him from having any impact on USC’s 2008 season. At this point, does Garcia have any motivation to stick around? Not really. If he’s really suspended until Aug. 15, that means he’s not going to be around for the remaining 11 practices of the spring, the entire summer conditioning program and the first two weeks of fall camp. After all that, will he really be ready to contribute next season? Yeah, right. Knowing he has little chance to play in 2008, I sincerely believe Garcia will lose interest in staying a Gamecock and cut ties with USC. Frankly, he should go ahead and change his name to Stephen Gar-SEE-YA. Spurrier has tried to put on a brave face and remain optimistic that Garcia will eventually decide to remain a Gamecock. But I don’t see it happening. Even Spurrier muttered the words USC fans didn’t want to hear on Wednesday night: “He may or may not be back.” I hate to be a pessimist, but my money is on ‘may not.’ In my opinion, Garcia, one of the most heralded prospects to ever sign with USC, will leave Columbia without ever playing a down for the Gamecocks. Without question, if Garcia does decide to transfer, it will be to a school located in the Sunshine State closer to his Tampa home. Here’s the intrigue: USC hosts Florida Atlantic in 2009. Could Garcia actually transfer to the Boca Raton–based school and show up in Columbia next season as the Owls’ starting quarterback? Don’t laugh. It’s entirely plausible. It’s more probable, though, that he would transfer to South Florida or Central Florida. Hey, who wouldn’t want to go to school in Orlando? I’ll bet a nickel against your dollar that South Florida coaches have already contacted Garcia’s high school football coach to test the waters and see if he’s interested in transferring to their school. If that sounds cut-throat, it is. Welcome to the dog-eat-dog world of big-time college football. Where does USC go from here? Well, for starters you can pencil in Chris Smelley as the starting quarterback for the Gamecocks in the Aug. 28 season opener against N.C. State at Williams-Brice Stadium. There is a saying that when one door closes, another one opens. The beneficiary of Garcia’s severe lapse in judgment could be dual-threat QB Aramis Hillary, who is still attending Strom Thurmond High School in Johnston. Hillary has displayed a high level of commitment to the program by attending three of the first four USC practices. But he isn’t just standing there. He spent most of the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 periods next to Spurrier going over plays. In case you haven’t noticed, gas costs well over $3.00 per gallon. This kid must be spending a fortune getting back and forth from his home to Columbia to attend USC’s practices. If his work ethic in practice this fall is as strong as his personal commitment level, USC should be in good shape at the quarterback position for years to come. That would be a badly needed dose of good news for long suffering Gamecock football fans.
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USC-Furman Game Blog - Tue. 3/25
posted by Scott Hood, 3/25/2008 06:30:00 PM
9:55 - Darnell ahead 3-1. Great hitter's count here. Liner to second. It's caught. But ther 2B turned the wrong way. Had he turned to first, Merrifield was way off the base. Could have been a DP. Smoak up. Strike. Ball. Ball. 2-1. Smaok should get a good pitch here. Hot smash to 2B. It's gloved. Throw to first. Ballgame over. Furman Wins 4-2. 9:50 - Base hit for Merrifield. Bases loaded! 1 out. Here comes the Furman coach. Entire infield is at the mound. Drama builds. Darnell up. You couldn't ask for a better sitution here if you're USC with Darnell and Smoak due. 9:45 - Base hit for Disher. Mack up. No pinch-runner for Disher. Mack pops to short. He's 0-for-4 tonight. 1 out. Havens up. He had the HR in the 1st. Single to left! USC has runners at 1&2, 1 out. Merrifield up. 9:40 - Furman down in the T9. We go to the bottom of the 9th with USC trailing 4-2. Disher leads off. 9:35 - 1 out in the T9. Wideberg is the new pitcher for USC. P-4. There's a single. 4 hits for Furman's Reese Wade. He gets rewarded by being pulled for a pinch-hitter. 9:30 - Lail fans on a high heater. WE GO TO THE NINTH. Furman leads 4-2. 9:25 - Walk to Crisp. Lail up. 2 runners on, 2 outs here in the B8. Tanner chatting with Lail. He steps back in. Here comes the Furman coach. New pitcher for Furman. 9:20 - USC has a runner at 2nd with 2 outs in the B8. They're still trailing 4-2. 9:05 - Nothing for USC in the B7. We go to the T8 with the score tied 2-2. Curtis Johnson is the new pitcher for USC. Single. Now there's a HBP. 2 outs. Runners at 1&2. There's a drive to RF. It's off the wall. 2 runs score. Furman leads 4-2 on some 2-out lightning. They've been close to breaking through all game and they finally did. Strikeout for the third out. 9:00 - Thomas gets the first batter to foul out to Mack in left. 3 outs. We go to the B7 with the score tied at 2-2. Disher, Mack, Havens due. 8:55 - Bangs got the first 2 batters out but has given up 2 straight singles. Here comes Tanner. The call is made to the bullpen. LHP Craig Thomas is the new pitcher. He goes 3-2 in the first batter. We're in the T7. 8:45 - A 1-out double by Enders is wasted in the B6. We go to the T7 tied 2-2. New pitcher for USC. It's Parker Bangs. He has a 4.82 ERA in 9.1 IP this season. He's a good looking RFr. Nice play by Crisp at 2B for 4-3. 1 out. Strikeout, 2 outs. 8:35 - Godwin worked out of a big jam in the T6. Furman had runners at 1&3 with 1 out, but Godwin got a popup on a bunt and a strikeout. We go to the B6 still tied at 2-2. 8:30 - USC down 1-2-3 in the B5. We go to the 6th with the score 2-2. USC has 2 singles in the last 4 innings and 4 hits overall. Furman has 5 hits. Godwin still pitching for USC. 8:25 - Furman threatened in the T5 but didn't score. We go to the B5 with the score still tied at 2-2. USC hasn't done much offensively since Havens' leadoff HR in the 1st. 8:10 - Nothing for USC in the B4 after a leadoff single by Crisp. Extends his hitting streak to 13 games. But we go to the T5 with the score tied 2-2. 8:00 - Good job by Godwin to hold Furman to 2 runs in the T4. He struckout 2 straight batters and got a F-9 to end the inning. We go to the B4 with the score tied at 2-2. 7:55 - Furman has scored 2 runs here in the T4 on a throwing error by Darnell and single to RF. There are still 0 outs with runners at 1&3. The score is tied at 2-2. 7:45 - USC has scored a run here in the B3 to take a 2-0 lead. Havens walked and Darnell hit a roller to third. Bad throw. Ball goes to the fence. Havens scores. We go to the T4 with USC leading 2-0. 7:40 - Furman down 1-2-3 in the T3. P-2, K, F-8. We go to the B3 with USC leading 1-0. 7:35 - USC goes quietly in the B2 with 3 K's and a BB. We go to the 3rd with USC leading, 1-0. 7:25 - Furman has runners at 1&3, 2 outs in the T2. HBP, single and FC. But there's a F-7 for the third out. We go to the B2 with USC leading, 1-0. 7:20 - USC goes silently after the Havens HR. Merrifield was thrown out stealing. We go to the top of the 2nd with USC leading 1-0. 7:15 - What a blast by Havens! Over the tall wall in CF. That ball was crushed. 6th HR of the year for Havens. He has 30 RBI. What a year for Havens. Merrifield just bunts for a base hit onthe next pitch. USC leads 1-0. 7:05 - Godwin gave up a 1-out infield single but promptly picked the runner off first. We go to the bottom of the 1st with the score 0-0. Havens, Merrifiedl, Darnell up. 7:00 - We're underway at Sarge Frye Field. First pitch is fouled off. Strikeout. Good start for Godwin. 6:40 - We're live from Sarge Frye Field for Tuesday night's USC-Furman baseball game. USC enters the contest with a 15-5 overall record. Both teams have completed batting practice and infield practice. Here is USC's starting lineup with numbers: Havens - 6 (.386-5-29) Merrifield - 8 (.328-3-11) Darnell- 5 (.330-5-28) Smoak - 3 (.351-5-22) Enders - DH (.329-4-18) Crisp - 4 (.357-0-8) Lail - 9 (.307-2-13) Disher - 2 (.243-6-19) Mack - 7 (.333-2-6) Godwin - P (2-2, 3.22 ERA, 22.1 IP, 12 H, 8 R, 6 BB, 20 K, .160 BA) Nick Godwin had a magnificent outing last week at College of Charleston. He allowed 2 hits in 8 innings. USC should be in good shape if he can duplicate that performance.
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Five Things We've Learned So Far From Spring Practice
posted by Scott Hood, 3/25/2008 01:45:00 PM
Three practices are done. Twelve more to go. So, with 20 percent of spring practice in the books, what have we learned? A few things. Here are five: 1. THE COACHES ARE WILLING TO TAKE RISKS: The move of Eric Norwood to outside linebacker is risky in that you’re taking South Carolina’s most productive defensive end and shifting him to another position. Norwood has a motor that doesn’t stop, and that’s exactly what the coaches are counting on. Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson made the move because of Norwood’s versatility. Norwood is exceptionally skillful attacking the quarterback off the edge. The coaches feel he can do that either with his hand on the ground or standing up. Norwood seemed to like the move, so we’ll see. From Norwood’s perspective, it’s a good decision because his chances of playing on Sundays are much better as an outside linebacker than a defensive end. Remember, while he’s a demon, he’s just 6-foot-1. The NFL is totally a business, and if you don’t fit the proper profile for a certain position, you’re toast. Bottom line, I think Norwood will excel at his new position. He certainly has the right attitude and he knows football. Johnson commented the other day that Norwood may be one the quickest learners he’s ever seen. That makes a risky move a lot less so. 2. THE EARLY POLLING ON RAY RYCHLESKI IS VERY POSITIVE: As Steve Spurrier said recently, I like this guy. If you haven’t been to a practice yet, arrive about 15-20 minutes before the scheduled start time and you’ll be treated to an entertaining show during the pre-practice period before the team stretches. Rychleski is certainly one of the most animated coaches USC has had in a long time. Rychleski isn’t afraid to rip into his players when he feels he has to. He’s called more than one player an “idiot’ for making a mistake. In short, he’s fearless when it comes to kicking butt, and he certainly doesn’t play favorites. Rychleski is an old-school coach that seems to fit squarely into the new world ways. Based on Spurrier’s comments, there are two things he likes about Rychleski – he’s incredibly organized and he favors matching up the best players. Make no mistake, everyone will play special teams this season with few exceptions. But there is a method to Rychleski’s madness, and USC’s special teams will benefit. I don’t have to tell you that special teams contributed heavily to the close losses to Tennessee and Clemson last season. The unit needed a jolt and Rychleski is providing it. 3. THE PLAYERS KNOW WHEN THEY’RE NOT GETTING IT DONE: You have to credit Chris Culliver and Mark Barnes for recognizing that it wasn’t working out at wide receiver. As a result, they both requested moves to the secondary. They’re now playing safety behind Emanuel Cook and Darian Stewart. Wide receiver is an incredibly complex position in Steve Spurrier’s system. It’s not just about running down the field and catching the football. You have to be able to recognize coverages, communicate subtlety with the quarterback, get off the line of scrimmage, get open and then catch the football. Speaking with Culliver last night, it’s apparent a combination of all of those things forced him to the other side of the football. He had difficulty mastering the various nuances that go with playing wide receiver in the SEC. Culliver, as you may know, didn’t have much experience playing wide receiver before he arrived at USC, and it’s showed. Obviously, the position proved a little more difficult than he imagined. His struggles make Kenny McKinley’s accomplishments all the more remarkable. McKinley didn’t play a down at wide receiver in high school, yet will likely leave USC as the school’s all-time leading receiver. 4. FOOTBALL IS BEST PLAYED FAST: Steve Spurrier told us before spring practice started that the overall team speed was improved. After three practices, I believe him. Some of these young guys like Charles Whitlock, Akeem Auguste and Jamire Williams can fly. Culliver told us Williams ran a faster 40 time than he did during winter testing. If so, that’s scary. Culliver brought world class speed to USC, and I think he’ll showcase it this season on kickoffs. If Williams is indeed faster, that’s great news for the USC secondary. What I found pleasing is Culliver seemed a bit annoyed Williams had run a tick faster than he did. The battle is joined. Spurrier has often said one of his top priorities was getting the players to understand the importance of ‘playing fast.’ Is appears he’s closer to meeting that goal this spring. 5. STEPHEN GARCIA NEEDS TO GROW UP: Even if Stephen Garcia is allowed to return to the football team, can he be trusted? That’s the key question he has to face. Quarterbacks are the face of a football team, and when one of your most popular players is constantly getting into trouble, that’s a major league concern. The other 90+ players on the football team have to believe in and trust the quarterback. If they don’t, you have problems. If Garcia comes back, what about this season? And the next. And the next. You get the picture. Short term, Garcia may be the answer. Long-term, though, is an entirely different deal. Garcia has been on campus for 14 months. Will he be able to make it through the next four seasons without getting into further hot water? Interesting question. Sadly, the answer may be no. That’s what the university administration, which has the final say in this unfortunate situation, has to decide. Do they cut their losses now and dismiss Garcia or do they bestow upon him one more chance, albeit with a very short lease? We’ll see.
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USC-Miss.State Game 3 Blog - Sun. 3/23
posted by Scott Hood, 3/23/2008 11:48:00 AM
4:05 - Sliding catch by Lail in foul territory. 1 out. K. 2 outs. K. IT's OVER. USC WINS 10-3. First series sweep since 2006 over LSU. 3:55 - USC scored 2 more runs here in the B8 on a single by Darnell (2 EBI today) and a double by Enders. It's 10-3 USC as WE GO TO THE NINTH. USC looking for its first sweep in 2 years. Craig Thomas now pitching for USC. 3:40 - There's another DP turned by USC. That's four on the day for the Gamecocks. MSU has actually outhit USC, 10-8, but those 4 DP's have hurt MSU. 5-3 for the third out. We go to the B8 with USC leading 8-3. 3 outs away from the sweep. 3:35 - Excellent leaping catch by the MSU LF to end the B7. We go to the T8 with USC still leading 8-3. 3:40 - Cooper sails through the T7, 1-2-3 after giving up the three runs in the T6. We go to the B7 with USC leading 8-3. 3:30 - USC down 1-2-3 in the B6. Cooper comes out for the 7th. USC leads 8-3. 3:22 - The pitcher's friend. 6-4-3 DP. That will kill a rally every time. 4-3 for third out. Cooper gives up the 3 runs on the HR but that's it. We go to the B6 with USC leading 8-3. 3:20 - There's a 3-run HR by MSU's Connor Powers. It's 8-3 here in the T6. No action in the USC bullpen. There goes Craig Thomas and Brandon Todd. This could be Cooper's last inning. There's another base hit to CF. 4 in the inning for MSU. They have 8 hits now. 3:15 - USC out in the B5. They had 2 runners on with 2 outs but Merrifield flied to deep CF. We go to the T6 with USC ahead, 8-0. 3:02 - 6-3 to end the T5. Cooper works out of trouble for the second time. We go to the B5 with USC leading, 8-0. New pitcher for MSO. Bowens is done. 3:00 - Cooper sailing along here in the T5. 10 in a row. 2 outs in T5. But there's a single. Now another single of the infield variety. MSU has runners at 1&2, 2 outs. There's a HBP. Bases loaded for MSU. 2:50 - Smoak up. 2 outs, Havens on 2B. Base hit to LF! Run scores. It's 8-0 USC. Smoak is 2-for-2 with 3 RBI. There's another hit by Enders. Single to RF. 8 hits for USC today. Bowens getting knocked around here. K on Crips. We go to the T5 with USC leading, 8-0. 2:45 - We're in the B4. Merrifield just picked up his 9th sac. bunt of the season. Havens at 2B, 1 out. Darnell up. He flied to deep LF. 2 outs. 2:40 - Another perfect inning for Cooper in the T4. 5-3, U-3, F-7. 8 in a row for him since a leadoff walk in the T2. We go to the B4 with USC leading 7-0. The sweep is looking more and more probable. 2:30 - Lail fouls out to 1B. 2 out. Disher up. Let's see if they throw him a fastball. 3-1. Here's the pitch. There it goes!! GRAND SLAM FOR DISHER. USC LEADS 7-0!. Bad pitch by Bowens. He grooved a fastball and Disher hammered it. 2:25 - USC has runners at 1&2 in B3 with 1 pout. Crisp up. He has a 12-game hitting streak on the line today. Base hit to CF! 13-game streak. Bases loaded for Lail, who came in hitting .315 today. 2:20 - MSU down 1-2-3 in T3. We go to the B3 with USC leading 3-0. 2:10 - USC out in the B2. Disher led off the with a BB, but nothing after that. We go to the T3 with USC leading 3-0. 2:00 - Another DP for USC ends the T2. 1-6-3. That's 2 in the first two innings. We go to the B2 with USC leading 3-0. Disher, Mack, Havens due. 1:57 - End of the 1st. USC leads 3-0. Smoak has 21 RBI on the season. He's the third USC batter to pass the 20-RBI mark. Havens has 29 RBI, while Darnell has 26. 1:55 - There's a single by Darnell. Run scores. It's 1-0 USC in B1. That didn't take long. So much for Bowen throwing a no-hitter this week, which he almost did last Sunday against Ole Miss. 3-2 on Smoak. He rips it down the RF line. Fair ball! 2 runs score. Merrifield and Darnell both cross the plate. It's 3-0 USC. They're hammering Bowen now. Pitching coach is out. What a difference a week makes for Bowen. 1:45 - Great start for USC in the B1. Havens doubles (his 2nd of the season) and Merrifield bunts for a single. Runners on the corners, 0 outs. 1:40 - There's a 6-4-3 DP! Great scoop by Smoak at 1B. Somehow, Cooper escapes the jam without MSU scoring. MSU must be thinking what they have to do to score runs in this series. They have just 2 runs inthe first 2 games. We go to the B1, 0-0. 1:30 - We're underway at SFF. Leadoff batter singles to CF. There's another single. Cooper is in a jame already. Runners at 1&3, 0 outs in 1st. Stolen base. Both runners now in scoring position. Let's see if Cooper can work out of trouble. There's a P-6. Good job there. 1 out. 12:40 - We're about 50 minutes from the first pitch. Here is USC's starting lineup with current numbers: Havens - 6 (.375-5-29) Merrifield - 8 (.328-3-11) Darnell - 5 (.325-5-26) Smoak - 3 (.342-5-19) Enders - 2 (.321-4-17) Crisp - 4 (.373-0-8) Lail - 9 (.315-2-13) Disher - DH (.239-5-15) Mack - 7 (.357-2-6) Cooper - P Another start for Crisp at 2B. I wonder what's happened to Scott Wingo. Crisp is going to play somewhere considering he's batting .373. Tanner will always find a spot for a guy who can hit. 11:55 - Happy Easter to everyone. We're here for Sunday's USC-Miss. State game at Sarge Frye Field. It's Game 3 of a three-game series. The good news for Gamcock fans is that USC is going for the sweep today. If USC wins, it will mark the first SEC series sweep for USC in two years. The last sweep came against LSU in Baton Rouge in late March, 2006. That series is best remembered as the one in which Arik Hempy suffered his arm injury that led to Tommy John surgery. He came back to pitch last year before departing for the pros. We'll see if Blake Cooper can continue the pitching staff's remarkable run this week. USC has allowed only three runs in three games this week. One per game. 13-1 over COC, 9-1 over MSU on Friday night and 4-1 Sat. USC can claim a share of first place in the SEC East with a win today and losses by Florida and Georgia. In fact, it appears there's a scenario in which all 6 teams could end Sunday's play with 4-2 conference marks. Cooper is 2-2 with a 3.43 ERA in 21.0 IP this season. He's allowed 22 hits and 13 runs with 12 strikeouts and 2 walks. So, he's had good control.
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USC-Miss State Game 2 Blog - Sat. 3/22
posted by Scott Hood, 3/22/2008 03:56:00 PM
6:20 - 6-3 for 2nd out. 1-2. F-9. USC WINS 4-1. 6:15 - WE GO TO THE NINTH WITH USC AHEAD 4-1. There's the first out. U-1. 6:05 - Nice play by Crisp at 2B for the final out in the T8. There was a runner at 2B at the time. We go to the B8 with USC leading 4-1. Darnell, Smoak, Enders due. A couple of insurance runs would be nice here. 6:00 - Brandon Todd is the new P for USC as we go to the T8. Justin Hopper playing LF as well. Atwood threw 113 pitches, 7 IP, 4 hits. Great outing for him. He's firmly established as the No. 2 guy on the weekend. 5:55 - Crisp grounds into 5-2 FC. Bases still loaded with 2 outs for Havens. 0-2. Line single to CF! 2 runs score! It's 4-1 USC. Great piece of hitting by Havens right there. That's one of the biggest hits of the season for USC. Now they have some breathing rooom. 3-1 for third out. We go to the T8 with USC leading 4-1. 5:50 - USC has the bases loaded in the B7 with 1 out. They lead 2-1. Pitching change for MSU. LHP for the Bulldogs. It looks like Adam Crisp is going to pinch hit. Big spot here for the RJr. 5:42 - HOME RUN BY JUSTIN SMOAK!! Opposite field shot to LF. USC leads 2-1 here in the bottom of the 7th. USC needs 6 outs for the win. :40 - Havens ties a record with three assists in the T7. We go to the B7 with the score still tied at 1-1. 5:35 - Nothing for USC in the B6. We go to the T7 still tied at 1-1. 5:30 - Atwood makes quick work of MSU in the T6. It's still 1-1 as we go to the B6. 5:25 - USC out in the B5. Disher grounded into 5-4-3 DP. We go to the 6th with the score still tied at 1-1. 5:15 - Enders just made the defensive play of the game with a diving catch of foul pop with 2 runners on. There's a 6-4-3 DP! USC gets out of a major jam. We go to the B5 with the score tied at 1-1. 5:10 - USC finally gets the bats going in the B4. Merrifield walked and Darnell doubled into the LF corner. The run scored when the MSU 2B booted Smoak's grounder. USC could have scored more, but a K and 5-4-3 DP ended the rally. 4:55 - USC hasn't done much offensively as we go to the B4 with MSU ahead, 1-0. They scored on a double play grounder. Frankly, it's been a dull game so far. :30 - USC didn't score in the B1. Atwood worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the T2 witha strikeout. We go to the B2 with the game still 0-0. USC out 1-2-3. We go to the T3, 0-0. 4;10 - Easy top of the 1st for Atwood. 1-2-3 with 2 F-9's mixed in. We go to the bottom of the 1st 0-0. 4:00 - We're about ready to start here at Sarge Frye Field. Here's USC's starting lineup: Havens - 6 Merrifield - 8 Darnell - 5 Smoak - 3 Enders - 2 Crisp - 4 Lail - 9 Disher - DH Mack - 7 Atwood - P
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This Spring's Five Most Intriguing Questions
posted by Scott Hood, 3/21/2008 01:06:00 PM
For those among us who are religiously-inclined, it’s Good Friday, one of the most solemn days on the calendar. For South Carolina football fans who can’t get enough of their team, it’s Good Friday as well. Spring practice starts this afternoon with plenty of questions surrounding the Gamecock program after last season ended with the loud thud of a five-game losing streak. In my opinion, here are the five most intriguing questions facing USC as it heads into Steve Spurrier's fourth spring as head coach: 1. Is the Offensive Line Really That Bad? I don’t think so. Spurrier plans to up the ante with the O-Line this spring, getting personally involved to make sure the unit steps it up next season. I know there are good football players playing on the offensive line. They just need to start performing. Garrett Anderson was an all-state player at Dutch Fork High School. He’s a hard worker. He does what he’s supposed to do in terms of weight lifting and conditioning. Now he just needs to take it from the practice field to the stadium on Saturdays. Once he does, he’ll be fine, and I’m sure the rest of the O-linemen are the same way. There’s talent there. O-Line coach John Hunt and Spurrier just need to draw it out. With Spurrier raising the stakes, it could happen this spring. 2. Is Stephen Garcia The Answer At QB?: Maybe, maybe not. We know he has the physical skills to play quarterback at the SEC level. You can even say he’s a better fit for the new package Spurrier plans to install giving the QB more freedom to run with the football. But this spring will also be his first opportunity to face the first team defense while running USC’s plays. Last year, of course, he was the scout team QB. I have a feeling Chris Smelley is ready for a war. By all accounts, he's worked incredibly hard thisoff-season. This is Smelley’s second spring with the program after arriving in the fall of 2006. You have to think his knowledge of Spurrier’s offense is where it needs to be. With Blake Mitchell gone, Smelley believes his opportunity to earn the spot as full-time QB has arrived. It should be fun to watch. 3. Can Ellis Johnson Succeed Where Tyrone Nix Failed?: Watching the defense over the final few games last season, I got the sense there was a disconnect between the players and coaches. The performances against Arkansas and Florida were dreadful, as you know. It wasn’t working. Spurrier has said that often. The players appeared uninspired. So, Nix was gently pushed out the door and replaced first by Brian VanGorder for about 24 hours, it seems, and then finally by Ellis Johnson. Can Johnson push the right buttons to get the defense back on track? Granted, two of the best players on defense – LB Jasper Brinkley and CB Captain Munnerlyn - won’t participate at all this spring as they heal from injuries, so the defense the fans see on the field over the next month won't be the same when fall camp starts. But, I think the answer to that question is yes. Johnson has been a defensive coordinator in the SEC for close to a decade. Talking with Johnson after he was hired, it appears he favors an aggressive scheme, especially on third down. I know USC fans will like that. Spurrier certainly does. 4. Will The Defense Be Able To Stop The Run This Year?: They’d better, or it could be another long year on the defensive side of the ball. This is the key question for the defense, because the secondary should be just as strong, if not stronger, than last season. If USC finishes dead last in the SEC in rushing defense again, guess what? The Gamecocks will finish 6-6 again. But I don’t think that will occur again. Well, not if the USC players have any pride. I think the poor showing against the run in 2007 was an ill-timed combination of poor performances and injuries. Losing Jasper Brinkley and Nathan Pepper for the year didn’t help, and having Marque Hall, USC’s best defensive lineman when the 2006 season opened, struggle in his return from a serious knee injury compounded the problem. Provided everyone stays healthy, I could see the USC defense finishing in the upper half of the SEC in run defense. That’s certainly Spurrier’s goal. 5. Can Spurrier Win Consistently At USC?: This is a natural question considering how last season ended. It means can USC run off a stretch of eight or nine win seasons over the next five years? Spurrier’s contract runs through 2012. He’s hinted he could stay on longer, but nothing is definite. He’ll be in his upper 60’s when his current contract expires. After listening to Spurrier at the recent Gamecock Club meetings, there’s no question his competitive fires still burn brightly. He wants to win badly. The five-game losing streak gnaws at him every day. I think he likes this year’s team. He’s talked about the players being bigger, stronger and faster than his first three teams. In fact, his approach towards this season appears to be this: we have the players, now it’s up to the coaches. Let’s get going.
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Five Things USC Must Accomplish During Spring Practice
posted by Scott Hood, 3/20/2008 01:34:00 AM
After a rain delay, spring practice for South Carolina begins on Friday afternoon. There are plenty of storylines for this year’s 15-practice endeavor. We all know who the key players are. So, here are the five things I want to see accomplished by the time the final gun sounds on the Garnet and Black game April 19: 1. FIND A QUARTERBACK: Steve Spurrier has promised a three-way quarterback battle this spring between fan favorite Stephen Garcia, five-game starter Chris Smelley and Tommy Beecher. Handicapping the race, I would give the edge to Garcia based upon his superior physical skills. However, Smelley clearly has the edge in experience, even though his arm strength doesn’t matchup with Garcia’s. No question, it will be a tough battle. But here’s the catch: it would be in USC’s best interest for someone to emerge as the clear-cut winner. If it’s a tie or too close to call, then it’s likely the battle will extend into the fall. If that happens, the quarterback position could experience the same kind of flux it did last season when the job swung back and forth between Blake Mitchell and Chris Smelley. You saw what happened against Vanderbilt when Spurrier essentially couldn’t make up his mind who to play. Hopefully, Spurrier will pick a starter and go with it. 2. SOLIDIFY THE OFFENSIVE LINE: There is no truth to the rumor that USC’s offensive line was declared a disaster area by Gov. Sanford by the end of last season. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if a few National Guardsmen show up at Friday’s practice. As far as I’m concerned, whether the offensive can come together is the million dollar question this spring. Spurrier recently acknowledged to a pair of Gamecock Club audiences that he finally admitted to himself that when the offensive line plays like crap, so will the quarterback. That’s what happened last season. When the offensive line faltered, so did the rest of the USC offense. John Hunt will certainly have plenty of players to pick from. He’ll have over a dozen players at his disposal. Spurrier said last July he wanted to quickly identify the five best linemen and play those guys. It never happened. Hopefully, that will change this year. 3. FIND ANOTHER WIDE RECEIVER: Kenny McKinley will likely take it easy this spring while he rebabs from bone spurs in his toe. Dion Lecorn is still indefinitely suspended, and we don’t know when he’ll return. That’s 100 percent Spurrier’s call. But, considering his history, Lecorn could be reinstated before the Gamecocks hit the practice field for the first time on Friday afternoon. But the probably absence of McKinley and the unsettled status of Lecorn means the door is wide open for a young wide receiver to run through. There are certainly plenty of candidates – Jason Barnes, Mark Barnes, Joseph Hills and Chris Culliver. There’s also the veterans like Moe Brown, Freddie Brown and Larry Freeman. Frankly, someone MUST emerge. There’s no choice. Most of these wide receivers will have no greater opportunity to impress the coaches. McKinley won’t be there to overshadow what they do. If they fail to take advantage of the opportunity before them, they'll have no one to blame but themselves. 4. GAIN A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF ELLIS JOHNSON’S DEFENSIVE SCHEME: In talking with a USC assistant coach recently, Ellis Johnson’s defensive scheme isn’t radically different from the one favored by Tyrone Nix. But the terminology is different, which the players must master. Fortunately, the NCAA rules allow for coaches and players to meet two hours per week in the weeks leading up to the start of spring practice. But the defensive players must grasp the scheme quickly because chances are USC will have to rely on solid defense early in the 2008 season to win games while the offense is still trying to find its footing. 5. DEVELOP DEPTH IN THE SECONDARY: Captain Munnerlyn, USC’s best cornerback, will sit out spring practice while he continues his rehab from the broken foot sustained in the Arkansas game. No question, Munnerlyn’s absence in the Florida and Clemson games hurt USC’s defense in those games. Also, Carlos Thomas is still indefinitely suspended for behavioral issues. So, just like the wide receivers, several young defensive backs have a chance to show their stuff, especially at cornerback. I’m looking forward to watching young players like Akeem Auguste, Jamire Williams and Addison Williams compete this spring for playing time. It should be a war. But don’t forget senior Stoney Woodson, either. We all know who’s playing safety – Emanuel Cook and Darian Stewart. But we saw last season that they’re not immune from injury.
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USC-College of Charleston Game Blog - Tue. 3/18
posted by Scott Hood, 3/18/2008 06:05:00 PM
9:30 - Brandon Todd pitching for USC. 2 outs. USC has outhit COC 19-2. K. Game Over. USC Wins 13-1. 9:20 - ANOTHER HOME RUN BY DARNELL!! That's three tonight. He ties the school record. This one went to the opposite field. USC leads 13-1. We go to the bottom of the 9th. 9:15 - What a performance by Nick Godwin. He sets down COC in order again. That's 11in a row and 17 of 18. WE GO TO THE NINTH WITH USC LEADING 10-1. 9:10 - USC is out here in the T8. They scored once in the T8 to take a 10-1 lead. Godwin is still pitching for USC. He's allowed only 2 hits. 9:05 - Another HR by Darnell!! That's 4 hits tonight. He has 10 hits in the last 3 games. USC leads 10-1. 9:00 - Godwin sets down COC in order again in the 7th. He's retired 8 in a row. We go to the 8th with USC leading, 9-1. Darnell, Smoak and Enders due. 8:50 - 2-eun HR by Havens off the LF foul pole! Havens takes over the team lead with his 5th HR. He also has 27 RBI. USC leads 9-1 as we head to the B7. USC has 14 hits. 8:45 - COC down 1-2-3 in the B6. Godwin with a strong performance so far. USC leads 7-1 as we go to the T7. 8:35 - There's a long drive by Enders to lF. It's gone! Solo home run with 2 outs in the T6 makes it 7-1 USC. That's Enders' third HR of the season. We go to the B6 with USC leading 7-1. 8:30 - Darnell drives one deep to LF! It's well over the fence for a solo HR. That's his 3rd HR of the season and second in 3 games. USC leads 6-1. We have a pitching change for COC. USC has 12 hits. That's the first extra-base hit for USC tonight. They have 11 singles and Darnell's HR. 8:25 - Godwin only gives up a BB in the B5. We go to the T6 with USC still leading 5-1. Merrifield, Darnell and Smoak due. 8:17 - USC down in the T5. We go to the B5 with USC leading 5-1. 8:15 - Single by Mack. USC has 11 hits tonight. They're battering Lucchese. 2 outs, 1 runner on. Stolen base. Walk to Lail. Eunners on 1&2, 2 outs. Havens up. 8:10 - Crisp singles to RF to open the inning but he tries to stretch the hit into a 2B and he's thrown out 9-4. 1 out in the T5. 8:05 - COC out 1-2-3 in the 4th. F-7, K, F-8. We go to the T5 with USC leading, 5-1. 8:00 - USC has scored another run here in the T4, but they could have had more. Enders grounds into a 6-4-3 DP. USC had 3 hits and 2 walks in the inning but came away with just 1 run. Darnell had the EBI on a sinbgle. It's 5-1 USC as we go to the B4. Godwin still pitching for USC. 7:50 - COC scores a run in the B3 on a DP grounder. It's 4-1 USC as we go to the T4. Lail, Havens and Merrifield up. Infield single for Lail. USC has put the leadoff batter on base in 3 straight innings. 7:40 - Perrfectly executed hit-and-run single by Crisp gives USC runners at 1&3, 0 outs in T3. Mack up. He walked the last time. Dac. Fly to LF. That ball just carried and carried to the warning track. USC leads 4-0. Crisp caught stealing. Disker K's. We go to the B3 with USC leading 4-0. 7:35 - Mack makes a great throw from LF to gun down the COC runner trying to stretch a single into a double. That's it for COC in the B2. WE go to the T3 with USC leading, 3-0. 7:30 - USC has jumped to a 3-0 lead here in the T2. RBI single by Disher, RBI single by Havens and SF by Merrifield. Runners on 1&2, 2 outs. Smoak up. BTW, that's 25 RBI for Havens. Smoak K's. But a good innings for the Gamecocks. We go to the B2 with USC leading, 3-0. 7:20 - Crisp leads off the T2 with a single, extending his hitting streak to 10 games. Mack walks. Disher up. He's batting .211. Base hit to LF! Crisp scores. It's 1-0 USC. 7:15 - Godwin on the mound for USC. Good 1st inning. He easily sets down COC in order. F-7, 4-3, P-3. We go to the top of the 2nd with the game scoreless. 7:10 - USC is out in the top of the 1st. We go to the bottom half tied 0-0. 7:00 - We're underway at Patriots Point. Havens leads off. P-5. Merrifield out 1-3. Darnell reached on E6. 2 outs, runner on first. Smoak walks. 1&2. Enders up. 6:30 - We're here for tonight's USC-College of Charleston game at Patriots Point Park in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Here is tonight's starting lineup for the Gamecocks: Havens - 6 (.382-4 HR-24 RBI) Merrifield - 8 (.308-3-8) Darnell - 5 (.290-2-20) Smoak - 3 (.355-4-15) Enders - 2 (.333-2-14) Crisp - 4 (.333-0-7) Mack - 7 (.375-2-5) Disher - DH (.211-4-12) Lail - 9 (.306-2-13) Godwin - P (1-2, 4.40 ERA, 14.1 IP, 10 hits, 7 runs, 14 K, 4 BB). COC is throwing a freshman RHP named Casey Lucchese. He's 2-0 with a 6.75 ERA. He's allowed 22 hits and 13 runs in 16.0 IP.
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Things I Thought About While On The Road
posted by Scott Hood, 3/18/2008 12:46:00 AM
After four days on the road in Atlanta and Nashville, here’s some observations, thoughts and notes I put together during my travels: -- The just completed SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament may have been the wackiest conference tournament of all time. Ignoring the impact of the tornado for a moment, how often do you see the last place team rise up and earn the automatic bid by winning the whole thing? It happens very rarely. But the tournament also featured several wild endings and last-second baskets. It actually began on Thursday night in the Georgia Dome when Georgia beat Ole Miss with a last-second shot by Dave Bliss in overtime. -- Obviously, the tornado slamming into the Georgia Dome Friday night about 9:30 p.m. changed the complexion of the tournament. I can assure you, without that happening, Georgia doesn’t win the tournament. The SEC office made the right decision to move the tournament out of the Dome. I have to admit I was a little surprised when I heard the event was being moved to Georgia Tech’s arena. It was surreal to watch SEC teams playing on a floor with the “ACC” logo splashed on the court with the Yellow Jackets’ logo. -- Fortunately, I was in Nashville covering the USC-Vanderbilt baseball game Friday night when the tornado blew through downtown Atlanta around 9:30 p.m. We left Atlanta on Friday shortly before 12 noon. I left the Georgia Dome around that time on Thursday night when I had finished my tournament notebook. So, had I stuck around on Friday, I would have likely been outside the Dome when the tornado hit. You can be sure I’ll be going to church this weekend. And not just because it’s Easter, either. -- South Carolina’s basketball season ended in an all-too-familiar fashion with another last-second loss. Please, don’t shower me with ‘feel good’ chatter about how much heart USC played with against Tennessee. This is ‘Big Boy’ basketball. You either win or lose. It’s all about the winning. That’s how coaches and players are judged. Win or lose. Frankly, USC should have beaten LSU on Thursday, which they did, since the Tigers were a bad basketball team. I was glad USC was able to win at least one tourney game before Dave Odom’s exit. -- Who’s going to be the next head basketball coach at USC? Right now, I would say Jeff Capel, currently the head coach at Oklahoma. There have been a bunch of names thrown around over the past several weeks, but it will come down to whether Oklahoma is willing to match any lucrative offer USC presents to Capel and his agent. Steve Spurrier earns a guaranteed $1.75 million per season as head football coach. USC will have to come close to that to pry Capel away from Oklahoma, which is a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament. I believe Sean Miller of Xavier is waiting in the wings if Capel decides to remain in Norman. -- I saw nothing from the USC baseball team this weekend in Nashville to indicate they won’t be right in the race for the SEC Championship when late May rolls around. Sure, they lost two of three games to Vanderbilt. But here’s the kicker: the Commodores are one of the best, if not the best (wait until Pedro Alvarez returns from a hand injury) baseball team in the SEC. Frankly, USC should have won two of three games in the series. Friday night’s loss was frustrating, to say the least. USC had its best reliever on the mound and he still gave up a game-tying home run. -- However, if the Gamecocks want to make it to Omaha for the College World Series, they must make improve in several areas. First, just as Ray Tanner told me today, the Gamecocks have struck out too many times in recent games, an average of nine times over the last six games. That’s too much. Second, when they’re playing good teams, USC has to avoid committing four errors in a game. They’ve done it twice already this year and they’ve been trounced both times by East Carolina and Vandy. The Gamecocks are usually a pretty good defensive team. But that wasn't the case on Sunday. -- The pitching has been better than most people thought. Mike Cisco has been stellar as the Friday night starter with a 3-0 record and 2.84 ERA in 25.1 innings. He pitched his heart out in Game 1 of the Vanderbilt series, but came away with a no-decision because Vanderbilt’s Mike Minor shut down USC’s offense, as well. Cisco deserved a better fate. He’s remarkable in that he rarely walks anyone. In other words, he doesn’t beat himself. If he can sustain his level of performance, USC will register a lot of Friday night wins this season. -- When Phil Disher makes solid contact with the baseball, he can hit it a country mile, as he exhibited Saturday with a major league blast to left-center that nearly reached Memorial Gym, home of the Vanderbilt basketball team. But those occasions have been few and far between this season. Currently, Disher is batting .211 with four HR and 12 RBI. He’s also fanned 20 times in 57 at-bats. Disher can crush a 95 mph fastball, but he susceptible to off-speed pitches and breaking balls on the outside corner or a few inches off the plate. How long will Tanner stick with him as the DH? Tanner is fanatically loyal to his older, more established players. Will the time come when he has to make the difficult decision whether to keep Disher in the lineup? -- Spring football practice begins Wednesday. See you there.
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USC-Vanderbilt Game 3 Blog (Sun. 3/16)
posted by Scott Hood, 3/16/2008 12:56:00 PM
5:20 - 2-run HR by Smoak in the T9. What a blast. Over the CF. VU now leads 10-4. That's his fourth HR of the season. Unfortunately, it looks like it's not goingto mean much. That's his 43rd career HR, tying him for 5th all-time. We have 2 out in the T9. P-6 ends it. Vandy Wins 10-4. 5:15 - No runs for VU in the B8. WE GO TO THE NINTH with USC losing 10-2. Top of the order due for USC. 5:05 - USC out in the T8 without scoring, though they had 2 runners on. Darnell singled to open the inning for his third hit of the game. We go to the B8 with VU leading, 10-2. 4:55 - VU is finally out in the B7. They send 9 men to the plate and score 4 runs. They lead 10-2 as we to the T8. Darnell, Lail, Crisp due. 4:45 - Wideberg out, Farotto in for USC here in the B7. Vandy leads 10-2. Wideberg gave up four runs and is responsible for one runner. 4:40 - Vandy has bases loaded with 1 out in B7. 2 BB and HBP by Wideberg. Grand slam by Giobbi on 3-2 pitch. Over the tall wall in LF. VU leads 10-2. 4:30 - VU shift on Smaok doesn't work as he singles to CF. But Enders looks at strike three. We go to the B7 with VU leading 6-2. New pitcher for USC - Sean Wideberg. He's thrown 8.1 IP this season with a 4.32 ERA. 4:20 - VU down in order in the B6. We go to the 7th with VU leading 6-2. Havens leads off the T7 with a BB. Here comes the VU coach. Pitching change for Commodores. 4:15 - Rodriguez PH for Mack, who replaced Wingo in the batting order. 2 outs in the T6. Strikeout looking. We go to the B6 with VU leading 6-2. 4:10 - Pitching change for VU here in the T6. 2 outs. One run home. Crisp on first. VU leads 6-2. 4:05 - Darnell steals 2B and goes to 3rd on throwing error by VU catcher. But Lail struckout swinging on the play. Darnell is on 3rd, 1 out. Crisp up. He needs to get the ball to the OF here. There's a base hit to LCF. Darnell scores. It's 6-2 VU. 4:00 - VU out in the B5. It's 6-1 Commodores. Darnell leads off the T6 with a single. He has 2 hits and a walk today. 3:50 - Double and RBI single to open the VU 5th. It's 6-1. There's an errant pickoff throw. Runner to 2nd. Cooper is probably nearing the end here. 6-3 for the first out. Runner stays at second. 3:45 - Havens led off the T5 with a walk but the next 3 batters go out. We go to the B5 with VU leading 5-1. 3:40 - Single to CF. 2 runs score. The ball gets past Merrifield! Runners goes to 3B. It's 5-1 Vandy. VU tries to sqeeze. P-1. Runner is dead duck at 3B. DP. USC is finally out of the inning. VU scored 4 times. We go to the 5th with VU leading 5-1. :30 - HBP and single to open the VU 4th. Sacrifice bunt. Darnell throws it past 1B! Run scores. Runners ends up on 2&3. Vandy leads 2-1. Base hit to RF past the diving Smoak. VU 3-1. Runners on 1st and 3rd, 0 outs. Two runs home. Stolen base. 2&3 now. 3:20 - Disher K's looking. That hurts. Runners still at 2&3. Wingo up. The ump is walking over to the USC bench. Tanner comes out. There's a heated discussion. We're back to playing baseball. Strike three swinging. The Vandy catcher spikes the ball into the ground. We go to the bottom of thr 4th still tied 1-1. 3:15 - Darnell opens the 4th with a double. That's his third 2-bagger of the season. He came in hitting .262 but has a BB and 2B today. Lail HBP, but the Vandy coach is out arguing. If the call stands, USC will have runners at 1&2, 0 outs. It stands. Crisp up. Sacrifice by Crisp. Runners on 2&3, 1 out. Disher up. Here comes the Vandy PC. 3:10 - Darnell, Lail, Crisp due in the 4th. Cotham still pitching for Vandy. 3:05 - Error by Smoak on the first Vandy batter in the 3rd. But there's a nice 6-4-3 DP. U-3 for the 3rd out. We go to the 4th with the score tied at 1-1. 3:00 - Havensled off the 3rd with a single. Merrifield sacrifices. Controversy here. It looked like Smaok was HBP but ther 3rd base umpire ruled Smoak swung the bat. Strikeout. Dead ball. Havens sent back to 2nd. 1-3 by Enders. That's it. We go to the bottom of the 3rd with the score tied at 1-1. 2:55 - Vandy down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 2nd. We go to the tp of the 3rd with thre score still tied at 1-1. Top of the order for USC - Havens, Merrifield, Smoak. :45 - USC goes down quietly in the top of the 2nd. 5-3 and 2 K's. We go to the bottom of the 2nd with the score tied at 1-1. 2:40 - We've finally reached the end of the 1st inning. Score tied at 1-1. It took about 35 minutes to play the opening frame. Both teams left 2 runners stranded inthe 1st. Both pitchers threw a bunch of pitches. Hopefully, the pace of the game will pick up here in the 2nd. 2:35 - Big strikeout for Cooper on Giobbi. 2 outs, bases loaded. Wild pitch. Run scores from third. It's tied up at 1-1. Vandy has runenrs at 2&3, 2 outs. Cooper has thrown a lot of pitches here in the 1st. 2:30 - VU has runners on 2&3, 1 out. LD double by Flaherty over 1B. USC did a good job against him Sat. but he's off to a good start here today. Calvi is out to talk to Cooper. 2:20 - Darnell walks. USC has runners at 1&2, 2 0uts in the top of the 1st. Lail up. He strikes out. USC leads 1-0 as we go to the bottom of the 3rd. 2:15 - Base hit by Enders to RF. Runners at 1&3, 2 outs. Darnell up. Wild pitch! Merrifield scores! USC leads 1-0. Enders to 2rd. 2:00 - We're about ready to play baseball. Rubber game between USC and Vandy. The winner claims the series. Havens steps in. F-7 to the tall wall in LF. 1 out. USC is wearing garnet jerseys and gray pants. 1:05 - We're live from Hawkins Field in Nashville for Sunday's rubber game between USC and Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks won Saturday, 16-7, with an impresive hitting display. Phil Disher hit a titanic HR that rivaled his blast 2 years ago during the NCAA Regional in Charlottesville. If USC can sustain its run production, they'll be in good shape. Vanderbilt is throwing a RFr. today (Caleb Cotham) making his first SEC start. Here is USC's starting lineup with stats: Havens - 6 (.379-4 HR-24 RBI) Merrifield - 8 (.327-3-8) Smoak - 3 (.351-3-13) Enders - 2 (.339-2-14) Darnell - 5 (.262-2-20) Lail - 9 (.322-2-13) Crisp - 7 (.333-0-6) Disher - DH (.222-4-12) Wingo - 4 (.242-1-7) Cooper - P (2-1, 1.80 ERA, 15.0 IP, 16 H, 7 R, 1 BB, 9 K) USC is completing batting practice right now. Jose Rodriguez hit a couple of bombs over the tall wall in LF. He's a good hitter. If he improves defensively, he'll make an impact next season.
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USC-Vanderbilt Game 2 Blog - Sat. 3/15
posted by Scott Hood, 3/15/2008 03:44:00 PM
8:25 - VU scores a run. P-6 ends it. USC WINS 16-7. 8:10 - WE GO TO THE TOP OF THE NINTH. USC LEADS 16-6. USC out. We go the bottom of the 9th with USC still leading 16-6. 8:00 - We're in the bottom of the 8th, VU has scored a run off Hopper. It's 16-6 USC. The two teams have combined for 29 hits. There are 2 outs. Here comes Tanner for a chat with the Fr. 7:50 - Hopper faces one batter and strikes him out. We go to the T8 with USC leading 16-5. USC hasn't score since the 5th. 7:45 - We're in the B7 and VU has added 2 runs to make it a 16-5 game. Hopper has replaced Atwood on the mound. There are 2 out and a runner on second. This is Hopper's 3rd appearance as a pitcher. 7:25 - VU scores a run in the B6 on a single. We go to the T7 with USC leading, 16-3. Wingo, Havens, Merrifield due. 7:15 - USC down in the T6. We go to the B6 with USC leading 16-2. 7:10 - VU scores a run in the B5. It's 16-2. We'll see how long Atwood goes now that he's pitched the minimum for a win. Tanner may try to pitchhim 7 or 8 innings to save the bullpen for Sunday's rubber game. We go to the T6. 6:55 - USC keeps bashing the ball here in the T5. Wingo singled and went to 2B on a WP. He scored on a single by Havens, giving him 24 RBI. It's 14-1 USC. Merrifield singled into LF. USC now has 16 hits. Smoak 4-3. Both runners move up a base for Enders. He drives one to deep LF. It's off the wall! 2 runners score. It's 16-1! Enders tries for third. He's called out! Wow. That's a call that's made in a 16-1 game. Awful. Typical SEC. 6:50 - Atwood K's the side in the B4 and now has a career-high 7 K's. We go to the T5 with USC leading 13-1. USC has 13 hits to two for Vandy. 6:40 - The T4 ends with USC holding a 13-1 lead. USC has scored 5 in the 1st, 5 in the 3rd and 3 in the 4th. After last night, it's a welcome sight. Now Atwood needs to pitch this one through and USC will even up the series. But this game is far from ver. Arkansas blew a big lead against UGA today. I'm sure Tanner has told the players to keep playing hard. 6:37 - Singles by Merrifield and Smoak start the T4. Merrifield goes to third. Run scores on 6-4 FC by Enders. Darnell up. There'a drive to lF. It clears the tall wall in LF! 2-run HR. USC LEADS 13-1. Second HR of the year for Darnell. He's starting to find his stroke. 6:35 - Atwood gets through the B3 with just a 2-out walk. We go to the T4 with USC leading 10-1. 6:25 - USC is finally out in the T3. Gamecocks lead 10-1. The bats have certainly showed up today. Now we need some pitching from Atwood to take home the win and force a rubber game on Sunday. 6:20 - DISHER CRUSHES ONE TO DEEP LF. 2-RUN HR. USC LEADS 10-1. That could rival the HR he hit at Virginia a couple of years ago during the Regional. 6;15 - Crisp lines one down the RF line. Fair ball! 2 runs will score. Enders and Darnell both cruise into home plate. USC leads 8-1. Pitching change for VU. Crisp has 3 RBI today. USC is looking good today! 6:10 - Consecutive singles by Smoak and Enders to open the 3rd. Runners at 1&2, 0 outs. Darnell up, He may be bunting here. Corners are in. He swings away. Foul. There's a base hit to CF! Smoak races around third, He scores. 6-1 USC. 6:05 - Atwood sets down VU 1-2-3 in the B2. We head to the third inning with USC ahead, 5-1. 6:00 - 1-2-3 for USC in the T2. We go to the B2 with USC leading 5-1. 5:55 - The umps rule that Vandy should be credited with 1 run. So it's 5-1 USC after 1 Inn. Wingo P-6 to open the T2. Havens 1-3. 2 pitches, 2 outs. 5:50 - Vandy ends up scoring 2 runs on a crazy play to end the B1. With the bases loaded, Wingo fielded a chopper and threw to first for the out. The runner on first was tagged out on a rundown. But before that could happen, the runners on second and third mamaged to cross the plate. Or, that's what we think happened. The umprires are talking to Tim Corbin right now. They could be taking one run off the board. We'll see. 5:45 - Two singles open the VU 1st. Atwood had a chance for a DP but the ball deflected off his glove. Tunners at 1&2. Here comes Flaherty, Four-pitch walk. Bases loaded for VU. 5:35 - Stolen base by Crisp. Base hit to LF by Disher! 2 runs score. The throw comes home. Disher tries for second. He's out. That's it. Great first inning for USC. Gamecocks lead 5-0 with Vandy coming up. 5:32 - Bloop single to CF by Crisp. Enders scores. It's 3-0 USC. Disher up. Here comes the Vandy coach. Lail to 3rd. Runners on the corners. 5:30 Enders hit a chopper to SS but he throws it past the 2B trying for the force. E6.Runners on 1&2, 1 out. Darnell F-8. 2 outs. There's a bloop single into LCF by Lail. Smoak scores. Enders to 3B. Lail RBI. It's 2-0 USC. 5:25 - Base hit for Smoak to center. Havens rounds third. He scores. USC leads 1-0 here in the top of the first. USC has jumped off Christiani quickly. 5:20 - We're underway here in Nashville. Havens takes the second pitch and hit it up the middle for a base hit. A new hitting streak begins after his 13-game HS ended last night. Merrifield sacrifices himto second. Smoak up. 5:05 - It looks like we're almost ready for baseball in Nashville. The field has been prepared. There is a sparse crowd on hand. 4:40 - The skies are clearing here in Nashville. They're telling us that the estimated time of the first pitch will be at 5:15 p.m. ET. There's still plenty of work to do on the field. The tarp has been removed. It's still overcast overhead, though I've see patches of blue. 4 P.M. - We're here in Nashville for Saturday's USC-Vanderbilt baseball gane. However, Mother Nature isn't cooperating right now. The tentative start time is 4:30 p.m. E.T. The game was supposed to start at 3 p.m. However, that looks questionable at best. It's still raining fairly hard and puddles are building in the outfield. If we do get started, here is USC's tentative starting lineup: Havens - 6 Merrifield - 8 Smoak - 3 Enders - 2 Darnell - 5 Lail - 9 Crisp - 7 Disher - DH Wingo - 4 Atwood - P
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USC-Vanderbilt Game 1 Blog (Fri. 3/14)
posted by Scott Hood, 3/14/2008 06:45:00 PM
11:10 - Todd issues 1-out walk. Single to LF. VU has runners at 1&2, 1 out. Walk on a close pitch. Bases loaded. Tanner is out to talk to Todd. Flaherty up. He is VU's best hitter. 3-1. Strike. Wow. 3-2. Full count. Single to RF. Vanderbilt wins 4-3 in 13 innings. Good ballgame. 3 p.m. Saturday. 11:05 - Lail strikesout. Single by Crisp to RF! Here comes Smoak. The RF makes a strong throw fromshallow RF. He's out at the plate! Great throw. Smoak was out by 5 feet. We go to the bottom of the 13th still tied at 3-3. 11:00 - Smoak draws a walk to start the 13th. Enders sacrificed 1-3. Darnell is up. VU will walk him to get to Lail. VU coach is out. 10:50 - 2-out double by VU in the B12th. Todd has to work out of trouble here. There's an infield single to SS. Runners at 1&3, 2 outs. Tanner is out to chat. Pressure is on. Strikeout!! We go to the 13th. Tied 3-3. 10:45 - Craig Thomas is the new pitcher for USC here in the bottom of the 12th. The dangerous Flaherty leads off for VU. He's 4-4 with a BB. But Thomas gets him to foul out to 3rd. one out. New pitcher for USC. Brandon Todd coming in. Looks like Tanner wanted the LHP to face Flaherty only. 10:40 - Havens flies to LF for the second out. New VU pitcher is Russell Brewer. Merrifield up. He can be a hero here. 3-2. Close pitch for Ball 3. The crowd wanted that one. 2 fouls. F-9. We go to the bottom of the 12th still tied at 3-3. 10:30 - Hopper singled to left. Adam Crisp up. Another single! Runners at 1&2, 1 out. New pitcher for VU. This is USC's best opportunity to score in extra innings. 10:25 - Deep fly to RF. Caught at the wall. Another F-9 to deep RF. But another long out. We go to the 12th still tied 3-3. 10:15 - 2 outs in the top of the 11th. Darnell singles to CF. He had been 0 for 4 with 4 K's. Good to see him break out of it. But Lail 1-3. We go to the bottom of the 11th with the score tied at 3-3. 10:05 - 1 out, runner on 1st for VU. There's a drive to deep CF. Caught in front of the wall by Merrifield. 2 outs. That was close. This game was almost over. Another F-8. We go to the 11th tied at 3-3. 10:00 - Havens walked with 2 outs in the 10th. But he didn't score. We go to the bottom of the 10th with the score tied at 3-3. Johnson still pitching for USC. Hels beginning his fourth IP. 9:55 - 1 out to go. There'a drive to CF. Home run. Game is tied 3-3. Ouch! There's a single to CF. Runner is thrown out at 2nd. WE GO TO EXTRA INNINGS. Tied 3-3. 9:50 - F-8 to deep CF. 1 out. Strikeout. 2 outs. 1 out to go. 9:45 - Crisp L-9 for the 3rd out. We go to the bottom of the 9th with USC leading, 3-2. Johnson still P for USC. 9:40 - Darnell fans for the 4th time. 2 outs. Runner on 2nd. Lail lines one to LF. The LF dives. He can't get it! RUN SCORES! USC leads 3-2!! Crisp is up next. 9:35 - Top of the 9th. Smoak K's. Enders doubles to the wall in LCF! Runner on 2B, 1 out. 9:30 - VU out in the bottom of the 8th. WE GO TO THE NINTH TIED 2-2. 9:20 - Merrifield K's for the third out. We go to the bottom of the 8th tied at 2-2. Curtis Johnson still pitching for USC. Adam Crisp in LF. His brother Andrew moves to 2B. 9:12 - Mismatch between Minor and Crisp. Strikeout. Havens up. USC needs a big hit here. Two runs here could be enough. 2-1 on Havens. 2-2. Long foul to RF. 3-2. Grounder to first. Run scores! Game is tied at 2-2. 9:10 - Crisp leads off the T8 with a single. Disher up. He's talking with Tanner. There's a hit over 3B!! This looks like a double. It is. Crisp to 3rd. USC has two runners in scoring position. Hopper PR for Disher. Adam Crisp PH for Wingo. 9:05 - Sacrifice and IBB loads the bases fo VU. There's a chopper to 2B. It's not hit hard but it's enough to score the run. It's 2-1 VU. F-8 for the 3rd out. We go to the top of the 8th with VU leading 2-1. 9:00 - Another infield single by VU. Runners at 1&2, 0 outs in B7. Here comes Tanner. That's it for Cisco. Curtis Johnson is the new P for USC. He needs to get out of a jam here. The way Minor is pitching for VU, one run may be enough for VU. 8:55 - Cisco was hit in the leg by a hard grounder. Infield single. He limped around for a minute but looks OK. He's taking some practice tosses right now. VU has runner at first, 0 outs in the B7. 8:50 - USC down 1-2-3 in the 7th. We go to the bottom of the 7th with the score still tied at 1-1. Great SEC baseball game. USC has 2 hits, while VU has 7. 8:40 - VU has a runner at second with 2 outs in the bottom of the 6th. The dreaded 2-out walk. But K 2-3. We go to the 7th with the score tied at 1-1. 8:30 - We're in the top of the 6th. USC still has just one hit. There's beautiful bunt by Merrifield. Base hit. Second of the game. But Smoak out 5-3. Nice play by the Vandy 3B. We go to the bottom of the 6th with the score tied at 1-1. 8:25 - 5-4-3 DP, USC's second twin-killing of ther game, ends the VU 5th. We go to the 6th with the score tied at 1-1. Wingo, Havens, Merrifield. 8:15 - In the top of the 5th, Crisp walked with 2 outs and went to second on an errant pickoff throw. But Disher grounded out 1-3. We go to the bottom of the 5th tied at 1-1. 8:10 - 1-out double to RF by Vandy. Six hits for the Commodores. USC has one hit, the solo HR by Merrifield. P-6 for second out. K for the 3rd out. Vandy has stranded 6 runners. We go to the top of the 5th with the score tied at 1-1. 8:07 - Smoak and Darnell retired. We go to the bottom of the 4th with the score tied at 1-1. 8:05 - Home run by Whit Merrifield to LF! Vandy has their own version of the Green Monster in LF. First base runner after 10 straight batters were retired. Game tied 1-1. 8:00 - Havens 6-3 DP. Cisco gets out of the inning giving up just 1 run. We go to the top of the 4th with Vandy leading 1-0. 7:47 - Another base hit to CF. Run scores. Third straight hit for Commodores. Vandy leads 1-0. Still 1 out, runners at 1&2. Here comes Calvi for a visit. 7:45 - 1-out single to RF for Vandy in the bottom of the 3rd. Third hit for VU. Another single to CF. VU has runners at 1&2, 1 out. 7:40 - 9 up, 9 down for USC through 3 At-bats. Only 1 ball ha |
