TheState.com: Sports

Baseball: Slim SEC window just got slimmer

Fri, 16 May 2008 08:44 EDT

Moments after Thursday’s final out, the USC baseball team ducked into the dugout and into the tunnel. The forecast was for rain, so the players had been instructed to rush the tarp over the field.

The way things are going, more than just the Gamecocks’ field is in danger of being washed away.

A late-season swoon continued Thursday night, and there’s little time to recover. A 13-2 loss to Tennessee put USC in more danger of missing the SEC tournament, and leaving its NCAA chances in question.

South Carolina (35-19 overall, 13-15 in the SEC) probably has to win the final two games of the series to make the SEC tournament. If it only wins one more, it needs a lot of help or else it will be at home next week while eight other teams go to Hoover, Ala.

“We came into this series knowing we had to win two out of three, and we’ve still got two to go,” Tanner said. “So we certainly still got life.”

Bassmaters: Goldbeck leads Carolina Clash

Fri, 16 May 2008 08:47 EDT

Grant Goldbeck, who has never finished higher than ninth in a BASS tournament, leads the Bassmaster Elite Series Carolina Clash on Lake Murray with a first-day limit of five fish that weighed 20 pounds, 4 ounces.

Goldbeck, a one-time drummer in a funk-rock band, also had the biggest bass of Thursday’s opening round, an 8-pound, 7-ounce lunker.

“The fish are there,” said Goldbeck, 37, who has finished in the money 14 times in 47 career tournaments. “I lost a few other big fish today.”

After losing two 5-plus-pounders early Thursday, he settled on three or four favorite spots on Lake Murray, returning to them throughout the day.

“It seemed like if I let them go for 20, 30 minutes, I could go catch another fish,” he said. “Leave them alone, let them rest for a while, go give them a fresh bait again every once in a while, I’d get two or three bites.”

Spear: Life is good after your name gets in the paper

Fri, 16 May 2008 08:21 EDT

ONCE UPON A time, in the days of a half-century ago when each of baseball’s major leagues included only eight teams and today’s communication network could not be imagined, scouts beat the bushes in search of talent, and some potential prospects no doubt escaped notice.

Bob Bolin almost belonged to that category.

Instead, a persistent high school principal kept nagging the area’s biggest newspaper for publicity, and the story helped Bolin emerge from the backwoods of York County. He capitalized on the opportunity, pitching his way into the big time.

The journey’s final chapter unfolds Monday night with Bolin’s induction into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame.

In today’s high-tech world, the idea that a player who would win 88 major-league games and save 50 would not be recognized sounds ridiculous. But the mid-1950s meant hit-and-miss scouting, especially in rural areas, and Bolin’s surroundings — Smyrna and Hickory Grove — defined “rural.”

Morris: Greek’s ticket was worth wait

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:34 EDT

EVERY RUNNING OF the Preakness sends my mind racing to 1989, when Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder threw his weight around to thrill five men experiencing a Triple Crown horse race for the first time.

I developed an acquaintance with Snyder during my days as a reporter in Durham, N.C., where the world's most famous odds-maker made his home late in life. So when five of us began eyeing the Preakness as part of a weekend of fun in Baltimore, I called Snyder and asked if he could supply us with tickets to the race.

Snyder said that could happen. I made doubly sure that Snyder understood I was seeking five passes to the middle leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, which was six months away. Snyder assured me he understood the request and I would be taken care of.

About a month before the race, I began to get nervous, and my friends were understandably concerned that Snyder might not deliver the tickets. I did not have the heart to tell them Snyder had reneged on a promise to me once before.

In the fall of 1988, when I was laying the groundwork for a lengthy story about Snyder and his family, he had invited me to his stately home for a Sunday evening of dining.

Tigers now play waiting game

Fri, 16 May 2008 08:21 EDT

ORLANDO, Fla. — Clemson starting pitcher D.J. Mitchell dominated Central Florida on the way to a 9-1 victory on Thursday night.

But the Tigers’ ACC Tournament hopes hung in the balance in Blacksburg, Va.

The Tigers’ fate rests on the Duke-Virginia Tech series. On Thursday, Duke beat Virginia Tech 4-2 thanks to two runs in a wild ninth inning.

The Hokies must beat the Blue Devils either tonight or Saturday for Clemson to make the ACC tourney.

The other scenario by which the Tigers could have gotten in was if Wake Forest lost all three games of its series at Boston College — but the Demon Deacons advanced to the ACC Tournament with a 10-3 victory.

Baseball: Gilbert, Dillon test their drive

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:34 EDT

After losing at home for the first time this season, with a state title on the line, Gilbert baseball coach Ashley Burnett admitted he has no idea how his team would react.

He will find out tonight, when the Indians play Dillon in the decisive game of the Class 2A best-of-three championship series at West Florence. “I haven’t seen the kids yet, so I really don’t have any idea yet about their mind-set,” Burnett said before practice Thursday. “That was a tough loss, a real tough loss.”

The Wildcats (22-8) forced Game 3 by downing the Indians 5-1 on Wednesday, slugging three home runs, including two solo shots by Anthony Smith, the No. 9 hitter in the Wildcats’ lineup.

“We didn’t hit a lick in the first game, but we got some great swings (in the second game) on some good pitches, and the ball was really carrying well for some reason that night,” said coach Gregg Dozier, who is in his 14th season at the helm for Dillon.

“We made it to the finals twice in 3A but played great Riverside teams and never got a chance to play for a title in a third game. We’ve got our shot now, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Soccer: Backup goalie boosts Chapin

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:34 EDT

When it became clear all-state goalkeeper Greg DeMare was not going to play in Chapin’s first-round playoff game because of a shoulder injury, the team did not fret.

His backup is just as good.

Senior Haze Weinspach spent the season playing forward and midfield, but he is also one of the state’s best goalkeepers.

As the Eagles prepare to face Riverside in the Class 3A championship Saturday at USC’s Stone Stadium, having two strong goalkeepers provides an extra shot of confidence.

“Most teams struggle to find one good goalkeeper, where we for the past four years have been blessed with two goalkeepers who are all-state caliber,” said Chapin coach Dick Hiller, whose team is appearing in the state final for the first time since 2005. “To win championships, you have to have a certain kind of leadership, of seeing the whole field and knowing what’s going on, and without a doubt, both of them provide that for us.”

Carolina Clash Standings: Day 1

Fri, 16 May 2008 08:53 EDT

Those with S.C. ties in bold

Place, Name, Fish, Weight

1. Grant Goldbeck, 5, 20- 4
2. Edwin Evers, 5, 19- 5
3. Matthew Sphar, 5, 18-14
4. Chris Lane, 5, 18-10
5. Mike McClelland, 5, 18- 7
6. Wade Grooms, 5, 18- 4
6. Russ Lane, 5, 18- 4
8. Rick Morris, 5, 18- 0
9. Kelly Jordon, 5, 17-13
10. Jeremy Starks, 5, 17-12
11. Bradley Hallman, 5, 16-12
12. Alton Jones, 5, 16- 7
13. Mike Wurm, 5, 16- 3
14. Morizo Shimizu, 5, 15-15
15. Jami Fralick, 5, 15- 7
16. Peter E Thliveros, 5, 15- 5
17. Fred Roumbanis, 5, 15- 4
18. Davy Hite, 5, 15- 3
19. Jay Fuller, 5, 15- 0
20. Dave Wolak, 5, 14-13
21. Kurt Dove, 5, 14-12
22. Mark Davis, 5, 14-10
22. James Niggemeyer, 5, 14-10
22. Marty Robinson, 5, 14-10
25. Jeff Connella, 5, 14- 9
26. Greg Hackney, 5, 14- 2
27. Ish Monroe, 5, 14- 1
28. Brian Snowden, 5, 13-13
28. Corey Waldrop, 5, 13-13
30. Ken D Cook, 5, 13-12
31. Mark Tucker, 5, 13- 9
32. Randy Howell, 5, 13- 8
32. Bobby Lane, 5, 13- 8
34. Casey Ashley, 4, 13- 5
34. Skeet Reese, 5, 13- 5
36. Dean Rojas, 5, 13- 4
36. Byron Velvick, 5, 13- 4
36. Kenyon Hill, 5, 13- 4
36. Shaw E Grigsby, 5, 13- 4
40. Bryan Hudgins, 5, 13- 3
41. Dustin Wilks, 5, 13- 0
42. Brent Chapman, 5, 12-14
43. John Murray, 5, 12-10
44. Tommy Biffle, 5, 12- 6
45. Kevin Langill, 5, 12- 2
45. Marty Stone, 5, 12- 2
47. Kevin VanDam, 5, 12- 0
47. Scott Rook, 5, 12- 0
49. Aaron Martens, 5, 11-15
50. Preston Clark, 3, 11-11

Baseball: Playoff tournament is Capital acquisition

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:41 EDT

After just missing out on the postseason its first two years, the Columbia Blowfish are guaranteed to be involved with playoff baseball this season.

The Coastal Plain League squad has been awarded the Petit Cup Championship series that crowns the league champion. The event will consist of an eight-team playoff at Capital City Stadium from Aug. 7-9.

Aside from that season-ending coup for Blowfish management, they again will offer a full plate of activities and opportunities for baseball fans.

“The fans want something fresh,” Blowfish president Bill Shanahan said.

Team USA will hold National Team trails June 21-23. It will play intrasquad games on the 21st and 23rd, with an exhibition game against the Blowfish scheduled for the 22nd.

Fulton remembers 1958 Tigers run

Fri, 16 May 2008 08:28 EDT

WHEN CLEMSON’S 1958 baseball team made the NCAA tournament under first-year coach Bill Wilhelm, there were no television or radio broadcasts of college baseball.

However, Bob Fulton thought the Tigers’ postseason games should get coverage. He convinced Columbia radio station WCOS it was a good idea, and Clemson, of course, was delighted.

Fulton, the voice of the Gamecocks for 43 years, doing games for the Tigers? Were things that different then?

“Oh, not at all,” Fulton said this week. “The rivalry between Carolina and Clemson was just as heated in 1958, but no one seemed to mind my doing the games. I never got one letter of complaint.

“I used to do both USC and Clemson games in the ACC basketball tournament.” Fulton said with a laugh, “Most times back then, that meant I was through after one day.”

Freshwater trends

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:33 EDT

Midlands Area

LAKE GREENWOOD: Striped Bass: Fair. Some striped bass are being caught up the river but fishing in the main lake is slow. Largemouth Bass: Very good. Many bass are still on the beds and being caught by anglers sight fishing with jigs or worms. Other bass have already bedded and moved back onto secondary points. Crappie: Good. Crappie have generally finished spawning and moved back out to deeper water. A few can still be caught shallow but best action is on deeper brushpiles or trolling with minnows and jigs. Catfish: Very good. Fish on the bottom using cut bait or worms, and try fishing at night.

LAKE WATEREE: Striped Bass: Good. Fish in the lower part of the lake using topwaters, shiners, or live herring.Largemouth Bass: Off and on. Some days are very productive, while some days the fish seem completely unwilling to bite. Crappie: Good. Due to recent rains water has been a bit muddy for best crappie fishing. Catfish: Very good. Multiple 40 pounders are still being taken. Target big blue cats using cut bait fished on the edges of holes. Bream: Good. Bream are beginning to move shallow and onto beds.

LAKE MURRAY: Striped Bass: Fair. Fish are in anywhere from 3 to 60 feet of water, and anglers are catching fish using a variety of methods including planer boards, free-lines, and down rods in 50 to 60 feet of water. Largemouth Bass: Excellent. Most bass have already spawned but the fish have skipped the traditional post-spawn slowdown and continue to feed aggressively. Crappie: Fair. Crappie have generally finished spawning and moved back out to deeper water. Bream and Shellcracker: Excellent. Fish are coming onto the beds and will continue to spawn for the next month or two, especially around full moons.

Mountains Area

Preps: Senior star leads Bearcats

Thu, 15 May 2008 10:14 EDT

A.C. Flora needed the win.

Brookland-Cayce wanted it.

And while the Falcons posted a valiant effort to stay alive in the Class 3A championship series, Brookland-Cayce’s desire fueled it to a 3-1 victory and the program’s ninth state title.

“We really wanted it bad. We wanted to win it here, not to go to some neutral site,” said B-C’s Adam Westmoreland, who struck out 15.

The Falcons hoped for a big hit from the middle of its lineup in the bottom of the seventh inning, but only got a walk to first base against Westmoreland.

Bassmasters: Lake Murray ready to make a splash

Thu, 15 May 2008 16:28 EDT

Some of the biggest stars in professional bass fishing will be competing on Lake Murray today through Sunday, but look for the lake to be the star of the Bassmaster Elite tournament that has been dubbed the Carolina Clash.

“It’s going to take a lot of weight to win it,” said Davy Hite of Ninety Six, who would love nothing more than to claim victory on the lake he grew up on and still calls home.

“Other than winning the Classic, winning an Elite tournament on Lake Murray would probably be my No. 1 goal for a tournament to win,” said Hite, two-time BASS angler of the year and 1999 Bassmasters Classic champion. It’s got a very, very special place in my heart.”

Hite said Lake Murray is not only one of the premiere bass lakes in the country, it is playing host to a tournament at a unique time.

“There will be a lot of different patterns and a lot of guys catching fish in a lot of different ways, from way up the river all the way down to the dam,” he said.

Golf: An eventful career

Wed, 14 May 2008 21:45 EDT

To look at Mark Anderson, his blond hair long and beach-boy disheveled, seemingly ready for summer, you never would suspect an intensity about golf that used to produce emotions ranging from “cocky” (his word) to “ballistic” (his former coach’s word).

To look at his record for South Carolina’s golf team this year — a team-best seven top-20 finishes in nine stroke-play tournaments, including three top-10s — you wouldn’t imagine the senior from Beaufort once saw golf as “a burden ... being on the course wasn’t fun anymore.”

And to hear USC director of golf Puggy Blackmon and golf coach Bill McDonald sing Anderson’s praises as team captain, it’s hard to picture Blackmon once screaming at him, or McDonald telling him five months ago to “get his act together or ride the pine.”

Anderson laughs at the seeming contradictions. Today in Chattanooga, Tenn., at Council Fire Golf Club, site of the NCAA East Regional, he and his teammates are the nation’s No. 12 team, seeded third and — coming off last year’s surprise West Regional victory and 11th-place NCAA Championship finish — no longer flying under the radar.

Joining USC in Chattanooga will be Coastal Carolina, the East Regional’s No. 20 seed and Big South Conference champion. In the West Regional at Bremerton, Wash., Clemson will be the No. 5 seed.

Baseball: Gamecocks in an unexpected position

Thu, 15 May 2008 16:28 EDT

As recently as last week, no one with the South Carolina baseball team thought Saturday would be the last time the Gamecocks would play at Sarge Frye Field. That was supposed to be in two weeks, or maybe three.

Events in Arkansas apparently have dictated otherwise. After being swept for a third time, not only USC is unlikely to host an NCAA tournament regional, it is fighting to for a berth in next week’s SEC tournament.

It’s an unexpected position.

“We definitely had higher expectations than where we are right now,” junior shortstop Reese Havens said Wednesday. “But we’re in the situation we put ourselves in. So we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do to get out of it.”

And what would that require? In all likelihood, two wins in the series against Tennessee would put USC in the SEC tournament.

Kyle Parker: The dual threat

Wed, 14 May 2008 21:45 EDT

CLEMSON — Kyle Parker would be attending his senior prom Saturday, but something came up on his schedule a few months ago.

He has a college baseball game to play — the finale of Clemson’s three-game series at Central Florida.

Had the game begun at about noon, Parker would have considered driving from Orlando to Jacksonville, Fla., where he would be a senior at Bartram Trail High School if he had not enrolled at Clemson early.

But the contest starts at 6:30 p.m. Parker contends his absence is no big deal; he did the standard tuxedo-and-limo affair as a junior last year.

“It’s just not going to happen,” Parker said.

Charlotte Knights say stadium won't be ready until 2010

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:52 EDT

The Charlotte Knights say their new downtown stadium won't be ready until 2010 as the team and Mecklenburg County officials deal with lawsuits over the project.

The Triple-A baseball team hoped to move from Fort Mill, S.C., to downtown Charlotte sometime next year.

The Charlotte Observer reported Thursday the Knights met with an architectural and design team on what it would take to open next year as opposed to 2010. Vice president and general manager Dan Rajkowski says it would have been more expensive to open in 2009.

The newspaper reports the Knights have not closed on a financial deal to pay for the roughly 10,000-seat stadium, a project estimated to cost about $48 million.

Real estate attorney Jerry Reese is fighting the plans because he thinks Charlotte needs a major league team.

NCAA: Charlotte’s baseball tournament hopes fade

Wed, 14 May 2008 21:44 EDT

Charlotte’s chances of landing the ACC baseball tournament appear slim even though the ACC will send the city a request to bid to play host from 2010 to 2012.

ACC rules require a city to have a facility in place to be awarded a tournament, and Charlotte’s plans for a new uptown stadium faces legal challenges.

Davis Whitfield, the ACC’s assistant commissioner, did not rule out Charlotte as a host for perhaps 2012, but city tourism officials know their chances are not good.

“I’m just sick that we have to wait,” said Jeff Beaver, executive director of the Charlotte Regional Sports Commission.

The tournament will be in Jacksonville, Fla., this year and Fenway Park in Boston in 2009. In June, the ACC will send selected cities requests to bid for the 2010-12 tournaments.

NASCAR: Barks favor Edwards to win All-Star race

Wed, 14 May 2008 21:44 EDT

CHARLOTTE — With the help of a back-flipping dog, Humpy Wheeler made Carl Edwards the favorite to win the All-Star race by naming the acrobatic driver his pick to win Saturday night’s event.

Wheeler, president of Lowe’s Motor Speedway, staged a humorous Dog Show on Wednesday in downtown Charlotte to reveal his annual All-Star selection. He was an expert prognosticator when he first started making the picks, as Wheeler was correct on six of seven winners from 1989-95. But he has been right only twice since, correctly selecting Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2000 and Johnson in 2003.

He also chose Edwards in 2006, but he finished fourth that year.

“I was running (winner) Jimmie Johnson and those guys down and I hit the fence,” Edwards said by phone from his home in Missouri. “I made a mistake running for the million (dollars) and I’m not going to do it again.”

Wheeler, who makes his selection show an annual production, used dogs this year he believed shared characteristics of several of NASCAR’s top drivers. He had a greyhound (sleek) represent Johnson, a Doberman Pinscher (fearless) for Kyle Busch and an American pit bull (stocky and agile) for Tony Stewart.

Falcons claim first crown

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:23 EDT

Ben Lippen coach Brent Walsh said the smartest move he made all year was to move third baseman Kyle Williamson to the top of the batting order. It may not have been the only smart move, but it paid off with a state championship Tuesday night.

The Falcons, needing a win to close out sweep the best-of-three SCISA 3A championship series against Northwood Academy, earned a drama-filled 5-4 victory at Ben Lippen.

Williamson, one of eight seniors in the Falcons’ starting lineup, had a pair of singles and scored a pair of runs — including the deciding run in the top of the sixth — to lead Ben Lippen to its first title.

“Kyle has been our trendsetter all year,” Walsh said. “We moved him to the leadoff spot because people were pitching around him. We said if people are pitching around him, we might as well get him on base more.”

Ben Lippen (25-5) had to battle back from a pair of two-run deficits against the North Charleston team before taking the lead for good in their last at-bat.