TheState.com: GoGamecocks: Baseball

USC baseball signs 13 for 2010 class

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:35 EST

The USC baseball program has announced the signing of 13 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the November early signing period. The class consists of eight high school players and five junior college transfers.

"It was imperative that we signed a class that can make an immediate impact," said head coach Ray Tanner. "We have eight seniors on our 2010 team and expect a number of our players to be drafted."

The Gamecocks added prospects from eight different states including two players from the state of South Carolina, right-handed pitchers Forrest Koumas (Elgin/Lugoff-Elgin HS) and Drake Thomason (Taylors/Eastside HS).

"We were searching for athleticism and experienced pitchers," said associate head coach Chad Holbrook. "We felt we were able to add some power arms and we are excited about the speed and power of the position players. We think it is a versatile group and they are all passionate about being part of the Gamecock baseball program."

2009-10 GAMECOCK SIGNEES

USC baseball releases 2010 schedule

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:16 EST

The South Carolina baseball team has announced its schedule for the 2010 season featuring 25 games against 2009 NCAA Tournament teams as well as 33 home games at Carolina Stadium.

The season opens Feb. 19 as Carolina hosts a three-game series vs. Duquesne. The schedule also in-cludes 30 Southeastern Conference contests, a three-game series with in-state rival Clemson, and an early-season weekend series and rematch with 2009 NCAA Regional opponent East Carolina in Greenville, N.C.

South Carolina and Clemson will meet in a unique three-game setting this year. Carolina will travel to the Upstate and face the Tigers at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Friday, March 5 with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. The two schools will then make the trek to Greenville, S.C. and face off at Fluor Field, home of the Greenville Drive, a minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. First pitch on Saturday is 2 p.m. The series then concludes on Sunday afternoon in Columbia at Carolina Stadium with a 2 p.m. start.

The Gamecocks' 30-game SEC schedule begins March 19 with South Carolina hosting Tennessee. The Gamecocks will also host Mississippi State (April 2-4), Ole Miss (April 16-18), Alabama (April 30-May 2) and Florida (May 20-22). SEC road contests include Auburn (March 26-28), Vanderbilt (April 9-11), Georgia (April 23-25), Kentucky (May 7-9) and 2009 CWS participant Arkansas (May 14-16).

Carolina will also play 10 additional in-state contests this year with Charleston Southern, College of Charleston, Furman, Presbyterian, The Citadel, USC Upstate, Winthrop and Wofford.

2010 South Carolina baseball schedule

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:16 EST

DATE	OPPONENT	SITE	TIME
FEBRUARY
19	Duquesne	Columbia	3 p.m.
20	Duquesne	Columbia	3 p.m.
21	Duquesne	Columbia	1:30 p.m.
26	at East Carolina	Greenville, N.C.	3 p.m.
27	at East Carolina	Greenville, N.C.	2 p.m.
28	at East Carolina	Greenville, N.C.	1 p.m.
MARCH
3	Presbyterian	Columbia	7 p.m.
5	at Clemson	Clemson, S.C.	6:30 p.m.
6	vs. Clemson	Greenville, S.C. (Fluor Field)	2 p.m.
7	Clemson	Columbia	2 p.m.
9	Valparaiso	Columbia	7 p.m.
10	Valparaiso	Columbia	7 p.m.
12	Brown	Columbia	7 p.m.
13	Brown	Columbia	4 p.m.
14	Brown	Columbia	1:30 p.m.
16	at Furman	Greenville, S.C. (Fluor Field)	7 p.m.
17	Davidson	Columbia	7 p.m.
19	Tennessee*	Columbia	7 p.m.
20	Tennessee*	Columbia	4 p.m.
21	Tennessee*	Columbia	1:30 p.m.
23	at Georgia Southern	Statesboro, Ga.	6 p.m.
26	at Auburn*	Auburn, Ala.	7:30 p.m.
27	at Auburn*	Auburn, Ala.	4 p.m.
28	at Auburn*	Auburn, Ala.	2 p.m.
30	The Citadel	Columbia	7 p.m.
APRIL
2	Mississippi State*	Columbia	7 p.m.
3	Mississippi State*	Columbia	4 p.m.
4	Mississippi State*	Columbia	1:30 p.m.
7	College of Charleston	Columbia	7 p.m.
9	at Vanderbilt*	Nashville, Tenn.	7 p.m.
10	at Vanderbilt*	Nashville, Tenn.	3 p.m.
11	at Vanderbilt*	Nashville, Tenn.	2 p.m.
14	at The Citadel	Charleston, S.C.	7 p.m.
16	Ole Miss*	Columbia	7 p.m.
17	Ole Miss*	Columbia	4 p.m.
18	Ole Miss*	Columbia	1:30 p.m.
20	USC Upstate	Columbia	7 p.m.
23	at Georgia*	Athens, Ga.	6:30 p.m.
24	at Georgia*	Athens, Ga.	3 p.m.
25	at Georgia*	Athens, Ga.	2 p.m.
30	Alabama*	Columbia	7 p.m.
MAY
1	Alabama*	Columbia	4 p.m.
2	Alabama*	Columbia	1:30 p.m.
5	Winthrop	Columbia	7 p.m.
7	at Kentucky*	Lexington, Ky.	6:30 p.m.
8	at Kentucky*	Lexington, Ky.	6:30 p.m.
9	at Kentucky*	Lexington, Ky.	1 p.m.
11	Wofford	Columbia	7 p.m.
12	Charleston Southern	Columbia	7 p.m.
14	at Arkansas*	Fayetteville, Ark.	7:35 p.m.
15	at Arkansas*	Fayetteville, Ark.	3:05 p.m.
16	at Arkansas*	Fayetteville, Ark.	2:05 p.m.
18	Furman	Columbia	7 p.m.
20	Florida*	Columbia	7 p.m.
21	Florida*	Columbia	7 p.m.
22	Florida*	Columbia	4 p.m.
26-30	SEC Baseball Tournament	Hoover, Ala.
JUNE
4-7	NCAA Regionals	TBA	TBA
11-14	NCAA Super Regionals	TBA	TBA
19-30	College World Series	Omaha, Neb.	TBA

Notes: All times Eastern unless noted.Dates and times subject to change, *denotes SEC game

Returnees have USC baseball aiming high

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:38 EDT

Ray Tanner entered the South Carolina baseball team's fall practice optimistic about his team's prospects for the coming season. He ended this week even more upbeat.

The Gamecocks, who lost by one run in extra innings to East Carolina in the title game of the NCAA's Greenville Regional last season, look to be a more experienced and deeper team from his vantage point.

"Compared to how we were last year at this point, our depth situation is much better on all fronts," Tanner said. "This team has a lot of those guys back, with a recruiting class that I feel very good about."

USC, which finished 40-23 and made its 10th consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament under Tanner, brings back veteran star power in redshirt junior right-hander Sam Dyson (9-4) and senior first baseman Nick Ebert (23 HR, 72 RBIs). Both decided against going pro - Dyson was picked by the Oakland A's and Ebert by the New York Yankees - and come back to anchor the pitching staff and the offense, respectively.

"I know I handled the summer pretty good because I was looking at (drafted recruits) Wil Myers, Chris Owings and Brooks Hall and losing those guys," he said. "You take a shot there, but every day I was able to at least feel optimistic on getting Dyson and Ebert back."

Baseball: Garnet sweeps doubleheader vs. Black

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:08 EDT

The Garnet squad earned victories of 7-6 and 8-2 in a doubleheader to win South Carolina's Garnet & Black World Series to close out fall scrimmages at Carolina Stadium.

Senior first baseman Nick Ebert had a combined five hits in both games, including a pair of home runs.

- From Staff Reports

Ex-USC player remembers his Series

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:09 EDT

The World Series can be a career achievement for any major league player.

A Hall of Famer like Ernie Banks never played in one, while a journeyman like Lonnie Smith played on four different teams that reached a World Series.

Unless a player is fortunate enough to be part of a dynastic franchise like the New York Yankees, as Sumter's Bobby Richardson was, there are no guarantees.

Adam Everett knows how lucky he is. The former All-American USC shortstop made it to the 2005 World Series as a member of the Houston Astros.

"It was a dream come true," Everett said. "Any time you experience that, it makes you feel better for years to come."

USC alumni baseball game tonight

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:26 EDT

Major leaguers such as Adam Everett and Landon Powell will be among the 100 former USC players and coaches who are returning for the annual Gamecocks Alumni weekend. The players will square off in an alumni game at 7 p.m. tonight at Carolina Stadium. Admission is free.

The former players will be introduced before the game.

- From Staff Reports

Black tops Garnet in World Series opener

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:29 EDT

South Carolina senior right-handed pitcher Blake Cooper struck out eight batters in four scoreless innings of work and the Black squad pounded out 18 hits in a 12-2 victory over Garnet in game one of the Garnet & Black World Series on Thursday night at Carolina Stadium.

Game two of the Garnet & Black World Series is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. Saturday, with the finale on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Cooper was effective in his start as he limited the Garnet squad to three hits. The Black team was strong at the plate as well with freshman catcher Brison Celek tallying two homers and Jackie Bradley Jr., Jake Williams, Steven Neff and Anthony Iacomini also hitting homers. Freshman infielder Christian Walker had an effective night at the plate, hitting 4-for-5 with a pair of RBI and two doubles.

Senior catcher Kyle Enders, who is managing the Black squad, was 4-for-5 with a pair of RBI. Alex Burrell, Al Hentz, Colby Holmes and Jordan Propst all threw a scoreless inning of relief for Team Black.

The Garnet squad was led at the plate by senior infielder Bobby Haney’s 2-for-4 game.

Garnet & Black baseball series set

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:11 EDT

USC will finish fall baseball practice with the Garnet & Black World Series starting tonight at 7:15.

Game 2 is 12:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday's Game 3 is at 1:30 p.m. The alumni game is 7 p.m.

Senior right-handed pitcher Jay Brown will manage the Garnet squad while senior catcher Kyle Enders will serve as manager for the Black team. Both players selected their teams. Admission is free of charge.

Garnet Squad

Parker Bangs - Jr. RHP/OF

Race at USC baseball stadium is Saturday

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:57 EDT

Saturday's annual Ray Tanner Home Run, a 12k and 5K race around the USC baseball stadium, is being dedicated to a volunteer who died in a Labor Day car accident.

Leona Lavallee ran a water station during the race that she called an "inspiration station," with girls handing out cups of water in grass hula skirts and coconut shell bikini tops. Race Director Ken Lowden said Lavallee's death shocked members of the Columbia running community, who decided to dedicate the race to her memory.

The race, named after the USC baseball coach, will finish inside the university's new riverfront stadium. It benefits the Ray Tanner Foundation, which will use the money in conjunction with the Cycle Center to buy new bicycles and helmets for local disadvantaged children.

Registration begins at 6:45 a.m. Saturday. The 12K starts at 8 a.m., and the 5K, at 8:20 a.m.

Bradley is USC baseball's next big thing

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:21 EDT

In February, USC coach Ray Tanner had this to say about first-year outfielder Jackie Bradley: "I don't know if he's going to be a freshman All-American, but he might be."

By the time the Gamecocks' season ended, Bradley had made Tanner look like The Amazing Kreskin.

Bradley earned consensus freshman All-America honors and a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team for a season in which he batted .349 with 11 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, 46 RBIs and eight stolen bases. He also led the team with 69 runs scored and posted a .431 on-base percentage.

But while those numbers were an eye-opener for a freshman in the country's best college baseball conference, it was his defense in right field that set him apart.

"He did bring everything to the table to be successful immediately. It was all there," Tanner said this week as USC started fall practice. "He's a special player. I've been fortunate enough to have coached a few of those guys, and he's in that category."

USC baseball enters a new age

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:07 EDT

Coming off a tough loss in an NCAA regional championship game on the first day of June, USC baseball coach Ray Tanner is glad September has arrived.

Standing behind home plate Friday afternoon at Carolina Stadium, Tanner was reveling in the sunshine as the ping of the bat reverberated around him.

"It's great to be out here," he said. "It's the first day of spring training. It just happens to be fall."

USC, which finished with a 40-23 record after a 10-inning, 10-9 loss to East Carolina in the Greenville, N.C., Regional final, opened the 45-day period the NCAA allows for fall practice with a scrimmage. With pitcher Sam Dyson and first baseman Nick Ebert electing not to sign with pro teams after being selected in the Major League Baseball draft, the Gamecocks return a veteran group that has Tanner liking his team's chances in 2010.

"I told the guys we're a little bit older than we have been. That's a good feeling," he said.

USC's Bradley Jr. ranked by Baseball America

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:28 EDT

USC sophomore outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. was tabbed by Baseball America as the No. 19 prospect out of the Cape Cod Baseball League this summer.

The Gamecock outfielder played for the Hyannis Mets. He was the third highest rated sophomore on the list as well.

Bradley earned consensus freshman All-America honors after batting .349 with 11 HR and 46 RBIs.

- From Staff Reports

Smoak picked for Team USA

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 22:33 EDT

Former South Carolina first baseman Justin Smoak will play for Team USA at the World Cup later this year.

In three years at USC, Smoak set school records for home runs (62), RBIs (207), bases on balls (151) and total bases (485). He was a consensus first-team All-American his junior year in 2008 after batting .383 with 23 HR and 72 RBIs.

A first-round pick of the Texas Rangers, Smoak is in Triple-A with the Oklahoma City Redhawks.

- from staff reports

USC hires new hoops, baseball announcer

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:09 EDT

Andy Demetra has been hired by USC and ISP Sports as the new play-by-play announcer for Gamecocks men's basketball and baseball.

Demetra, a Syracuse graduate, will be returning to South Carolina. He served as the announcer for women's basketball games from 2003-06, as well as several men's basketball games.

He replaces Mike Morgan, who resigned in April after nearly a decade doing baseball and men's basketball.

Demetra had been working for ISP Sports at its headquarters in Winston-Salem, N.C. Among his duties were calling games in Big East basketball, ACC football and the ACC baseball tournaments. He also filled in on basketball games at various schools, including Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and Villanova.

"The passion of Gamecock fans is second to none, which makes broadcasting for them all the more special," Demetra said in a statement. "That spirit left a lasting impression on me.

Moneyball shorts USC's Dyson

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:23 EDT

Sam Dyson had two items by his side Monday as he waited: His phone and a copy of the book “Moneyball,” the 2003 book going inside the scenes of the Oakland Athletics.

There could have been no more appropriate accessories for Dyson, who was waiting to hear if the A’s were going to find the money to sign him. He kept waiting, it didn’t happen, and when midnight passed he was officially a South Carolina Gamecock for another season.

“They didn’t really push it,” Dyson said of the A’s. “They knew exactly what I wanted. I said, ‘Hey, if you weren’t going to meet (it), I’m just going to come back to school and try to do it next year.’”

Dyson, the Gamecocks’ top pitcher, joined Nick Ebert, their leading home run hitter, in not signing before Monday’s deadline. Although the Gamecocks did lose three top recruits and two other top players, they now return their entire weekend rotation and 69 of their 109 home runs from last season.

Coach Ray Tanner said the return of Dyson, a redshirt junior, and Ebert, a senior, “changes the complexion” of next year’s team.

Dyson, Ebert set to return to Gamecocks

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:35 EDT

It appears pitcher Sam Dyson will be returning to Columbia for his junior season.

Dyson spent Monday moving into an apartment in Columbia, according to his father, Sid Dyson.

Dyson was a 10th-round pick by the Oakland Athletics in this year’s Major League Baseball draft, but the deadline for draftees to sign with their pro teams was midnight Monday.

Sid Dyson said that while he expected to speak to the A’s, he doesn’t anticipate his son signing.

“We’re ready to go to school,” he said.

Former Gamecock Mack makes All-Star team

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:07 EDT

Former South Carolina baseball player DeAngelo Mack wasted little time making a big-time impact in professional baseball.

Mack, an 13th-round draft pick by the New York Yankees last June, was named to the Class A New York-Penn League all-star team after batting .313 with five home runs and 26 RBIs for the Staten Island Yankees. He's played in 45 games for the short-season club, which began its season in June following the draft.

A former Airport High player from West Columbia, Mack was a second-team all-SEC outfielder for USC last spring when he led the team with a .361 average as well as hitting 14 homers and driving in 60 runs.

-- Steve Wiseman

Top S.C. draftee Owings reaches deal with D-Backs

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:22 EDT

Many high school baseball players dream of being drafted and receiving a large bonus when they sign.

Gilbert’s Chris Owings is living that dream.

The 41st pick in June’s Major League Baseball draft will fly to Phoenix on Monday to sign a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks that will include a $950,000 bonus.

“It’s starting to set in a little bit,” Owings said. “It’ll hit me when I get out there.”

Owings, the first player from a S.C. high school or college to be selected, will not attend USC, where he had signed to play. Instead he will report Wednesday to the Missoula (Mont.) Osprey, the Diamondbacks’ affiliate in the rookie-level Pioneer League, which plays through Sept. 11. He expects to be assigned to a fall instructional league in Arizona after Missoula’s season ends.

Mack sees his goal just across the bay

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:50 EDT

When D’Angelo Mack was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 13th round last month, he had hopes the Big Apple would be his ultimate baseball destination.

But the former USC outfielder is already close in his first minor league assignment. In fact, he’s just a short boat ride away.

Playing for the Staten Island Yankees, Mack resides in the borough that’s separated from the city by New York Bay and plays in a ballpark that features the skyline and the Statue of Liberty as a backdrop. The Staten Island Ferry isn’t far from the team’s Ballpark at St. George, and Mack has used it to make his way into the city a few times to check out the sights and sounds of places like Times Square.

“It’s totally different from Columbia, South Carolina,” Mack said. “It’s huge, and it’s hard to get to see all of it.”

His new job is keeping him pretty busy, too. An All-SEC second-team performer as a redshirt junior, Mack is gradually making the adjustment to professional baseball. He is hitting .278 with eight doubles, one homer and nine RBIs in 22 games, and his numbers have improved as he has begun to adjust to wooden bats.