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USC baseball enters a new age
Veteran club opens fall practice with confident outlook on 2010 season
CommentsComing 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.
Other leading returnees include outfielders Whit Merrifield and Jackie Bradley, shortstop Bobby Haney and pitchers Blake Cooper and Nolan Belcher. Those expected to play more prominent roles this season include outfielder Adam Matthews, catcher Kyle Enders and pitchers Jay Brown and Matt Price.
Matthews, a sophomore from White Knoll High who will miss about four weeks of fall practice due to a torn meniscus in his right knee, likes the makeup of this club.
"We've got a really good team," he said. "We've got a lot of new guys coming in who are big pickups. It's all up to us. We've got all the talent we need. We can go a long way with this team."
After being eliminated in the regional round the past two seasons, the Gamecocks are eyeing a return to the Super Regionals, which they have reached seven times in the past 10 seasons, and the College World Series, a trip they haven't made since the 2004.
The newcomers who could make an impact include freshman third baseman Christian Walker, junior-college second baseman Adrian Morales, freshman pitcher Ethan Carter and junior-college pitcher Jimmy Revan.
"We know we're on the same page. We've got a good group," Walker said. "The pitching will definitely be strong, and we've got great hitters. We're looking good."
Tanner said Merrifield will get a look at second and third base this fall, which means Bradley will play a lot in center field. Morales and returnee Scott Wingo will battle at second base, as will Enders and Brady Thomas at catcher.
After Cooper and Dyson, the pitching situation is uncertain, although it appears to be deeper than in previous seasons. Belcher could be a swing guy between the rotation and the bullpen. Parker Bangs' role is to be determined, and the closer's spot is in the air.
There are 43 players listed on the roster, a number that must be cut to 35 by the start of the season. Pitcher Adam Westmoreland is out for the year after offseason arm surgery, while a pair of transfers — pitcher Logan Munson from North Carolina and outfielder Jake Williams from Wofford — will have to sit out a season, although Williams' status hasn't been settled. That knocks the number down to 40.
Tanner said three series are set before SEC play begins. Duquesne returns to Columbia to open the season with a weekend series, and USC heads to East Carolina the second weekend. The fourth weekend will be a three-game series with Clemson that will rotate among Columbia, Greenville and Clemson.
That’s still six months away, but Tanner can't wait.
"There are a lot of familiar faces. That makes me feel good."
Today's 12:30 p.m. scrimmage and Sunday's 1:30 p.m. scrimmage are open to the public.
Reach White at (803) 771-8643
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