Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Pete Feheley Sports Editor Friday afternoon was "opening day" for Carolina's baseball team, another facet of the USC athletic program that was chosen as one of the nation's finest in preseason ratings. As you may well remember, the football team was described by its coach as "the finest group of athletes I've ever coached." The highlight of that season came off the field, not on it. The 1974-75 basketballers were predicted to be in "the Top Five in '75." Carolina has yet to top five opponents on the road. There is still time for some form of salvation for USC via tournament play. Then the biseball team came into the spotlight of preseason glory. With a nationally prominent head coach, two returning All-Americas and a pitching staff that led the nation in ERA last year and four talented junior college transfers arriving on the scene, how could they miss? Most Carolina fans held their breath, hoping their baseball team wouldn't also disappoint them, and probably hoping the Gamecocks weren't reading the good things being written about them. As the players rode the team bus to Charleston to meet Baptist College, there was an air of tension, or as one player put it, "guarded optimism." All the wise-cracking and verbal battles going on among the team couldn't hide the fact that they felt th pressure. The players were hopeful that their head coach, Bobby Richardson, wasn't feeling the pressure of the upcoming game. After all, he was driving the bus to Charleston. Though Baptist College doesn't rank high in the college baseball world, their starting pitcher does. In Raymond LaPointe the Gamecocks faced as good a pitcher as they will for most of the season. LaPointe threw hard for nine innings, although one of his few mistakes landed more than 300 feet away, courtesy of Steve King. Carolina won the game because of some sound fundamental baseball. They stole seven bases, including Jim Pankovits' daring steal of home in the ninth, they bunted well, and had some excellent defensive play from the outfield. The pressure was on them and they could have very easily lost the game. Another disappointing beginning for a Carolina team almost became a reality. King admitted to feeling a certain nervousness when Baptist put the tying and winning runs on base in the last of the ninth. "I was thinking, it can't happen to us too," he said. When Jeff Grantz retired the last Baptist hitter on a grounder to short, a collective sigh of relief could be heard in the Carolina dugout. There was no jubilation on the part oif the Carolina team after the game. Winning pitcher Greg Ward slammed his glove against the dugout wall in disgust. Several players hurried to the team bus to be alone with their thoughts. Richardson conveyed his satisfaction in the victory, but not in his team's performance. Gamecock players hoped that their coach was not too angry with them. After all, he had to drive the team bus back to Columbia. On the way back to Columbia, starter Earl Bass e dismay at his control problems while Ward was looking for ward to his start Tuesday at Wofford with grim determination. Second baseman Mark Van Bever was moaning about his hitless day, while Gary Hancock really had something to moan about, a long, nasty sliding bruise on his thigh. Even King, who had the big three-run homer, was upset because he broke one of his bats. However, a team has to feel good when they can play poorly in the face of a good pitcher and still win as Carolina did in Charleston on Friday. Walsh finale Monday night's game with Villanova will mark the final home appearance of senior guard Jimmy Walsh. One of the most likeable members of the team, Jimmy has shown his ability many times as a clever ballhandler and sharp passer. His performance against Georgia Tech Saturday night in breaking the pressing defense and running Carolina's ball control offense provides a better tribute to him than any columnist could attempt Let it suffice to say that Jimmy Walsh has excellent knowledge of the game and hopefully will be able to pass on his knowledge through some form of coaching. Carolina's Gary Hancock the Gamecocks against B Gamecocks BY PETE FEHELEY Sports Editor Carolina's baseball team used a daring suicide squeeze play to help them struggle past Baptist College of Charleston 7-6 Friday afternoon in Charleston. With winning pitcher Greg Ward at the plate and Jim Pankovits at third, Gamecock coach Bobby Richardson decided to attempt a suicide squeeze to break the deadlock. "I didn't know whether it was supposed to be a drag bunt or what, the only thing I knew is that it was happening on the second pitch," said Ward. Pankovits broke for home on the pitch, but Ward missed the bunt. Fortunately for the Gamecocks, the ball popped loose from the catcher's glove and Pankovits scored the go ahead run. Jeff Grantz advanced to. .;91 The Gamiecocks anxiousl Charleston. , 41 year for ill season wil early 1-0 lead in the third when Jim Smoak doubled home Ronnie Knight who had walked to lead off the in ning. Dave Berry, who fiad also walked in the inning, attempted to score on the play and was cut down 'I didn't know whether it 4 bunt or what, the only thii happening on the second p on a brilliant throw by Grantz from the outfield grass. Carolina's Gary Hancock beat out a bunt to lead off the Carolina fourth and promptly stole second. After Small popped to third, Steve King smashed a single to right and Hancock scored when catcher Ricky Mitchum dropped the throw from the outfield, with King taking second on the throw. King then scored on a 75 asnon in scores the first run of the aptist College. open baseba third on the play and scored what proved to be the winning run moments later on a wild pitch. Baptist College threatened again in their half of the ninth, scoring once and- putting the tying run on third and the winning run on first. Grantz speared a sharp grounder to short and threw to Hank Small at first to end the threat. Carolina's winning rally began when Pankovits walked, stole second, and moved over to third on a perfect sacrifice bunt by Steve Cook. Grantz reached first on a fielder's choice with* Pankovits diving safely back to third. Catcher Greg Keatley popped to first, setting the stage for Pankovits' heroics. Richardson explained his strategy in this way, "I wanted Greg to pitch the last of the ninth because they had righthanded hitters coming up,. so I didn't pinch-hit for him." Baptist College jumped off to an V lI' t 4 ittn la0