The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, April 19, 1976, Page Page 7, Image 7
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USC wins
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By Mitch Sherwood
USC's baseball team, playing hard in hopes of a
playoff bid, completely dominated the Citadel 13-0
Thursday and Davidson 22-7 Saturday for their eighth
straight win.
Freshman right-hander Hal Hutchens pitched a
three-hitter in leading USC over the Citadel.
USC had 14 hits, including home runs by Mark Van
Bever and Greg Keatley. Van Bever stole two bases
and now has 33 stolen bases to tie the team mark set
hv .inhn fiflmhrpll in 1974. Keatlev. has now hit safely
in 20 games and has broken the record of 19 held by
Hank Small.
THE VICTORY was Hutchen's third of the season
without a defeat. He struck out six and walked four tc
lead USC. Scott Thomas relieved Hutchens in the
ninth and allowed only one hit before striking out the
side.
Steve Cook batted in eight runs in leading the
Gamecocks to victory Saturday over Davidson. Cook
who was five-for-five at the plate, had a two-run hoim
run in the fourth and a three run triple in the fifth. He
now has a .272 batting average.
Van Bever, who tied the stolen base record in th?
Citadel game, stole two bases Saturday to break th<
school record and he now leads the nation in stolei
bases. USC stole 11 bases before the game was over
Keatley extended his hitting streak to 21 games with i
home run and two singles. He now leads the team ii
hitting with a .414 average and has eight home runs
Ed Lynch picked up the win by pitching six tougl
innings before being relieved by Thomas and Chucl
McLean, who each pitched an inning. Freshmei
Ronnie Craps and Mike Toakson pitcnea in me ninu
inning when Davidson scored four times.
McLEAN WAS the only USC starter who did not ge
a hit.. Jeff Grantz was two-for-five and drove in tw
runs while Steve King and David Small each had tw
runs batted in. Jim Fleming, who fielded well a
shortstop, scored five runs for USC on one hit, tw
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USC, behind 1-0 after the first inning, scored thre
runs in the second, third, and fourth innings for a 9
lead. Keatley and Cook each had home runs in th
fourth inning. USC scored five runs in the fifth an
added two runs in the seventh for their final score.
USC travels to Furman today for a 3 p.m. gam<
Earlier USC beat Furman 2-1 in a game at Rc
Enright Field.
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USC's eight-game win streak has promoted the
tenth place national ranking in college baseball, a
that some feel guarantees them a right to again cor
regional competition for a possible shot at the NO
However, a man well versed on the subject of
baseball and chairman of the NCAA committee, f
Gamecocks are not assured a bid at this time. Ch
head baseball coach at the Citadel, is also the chai
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the rules and tournament committee lor uisirici u
14 at-large Independent teams compete with '
possible playoff spots each year.
"I feel there are more good teams in the Southeas
any other region of the country," Port said Friday
a recruiting trip near Charleston. "This present
problem in determining the selections for region
Last year we even sent two of the teams in this r
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Clemson was sent to Michigan, and South Alab.
sent to the tournament in Texas last year. Port
could not determine if it will be necessary to send
teams out of the region again this year.
IIE DID say no matter what happened some teai
region will be left home, even though they have in
records.
Tort said that only conference winners are assu
in post season tournaments. District III is divided
regional tournaments, the Atlantic Regional
Southern Regional. The Atlantic Regional will
Southern and Atlantic Coast conference winners a
two at-large selections. The Southern Region will
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.. .The freshman placed third against Georgia
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said he nament.
at-large Because the tournaments must be played
participant's home fields, USC has a com]
ins in the because of the large crowds the Gameco
ipressive Columbia last year. However, Port said this Is
criteria when teams are selected.
red spots "We select schools on three basic things,"
I into two strength of their schedule, won-lost percen
and the depth of their pitching staff."
have the "We're interested in how many Division I s
long with plays," Port said. "At one time you had to pla
have the half Division I schools on your schedule to
Carolina defeats
Ge orgia, 83-62
By Matt Ward
USC's track team completed its home schedule Saturday with
a 83-62 victory over Georgia at Weems Baskin Track.
The Gamecocks were led by the performances of Ron Adams
who placed first in the triple jump, long jump, and second in the
high jump and 100-yard aasn. Aiding Adams were periorniers
Lou DeChicchio, who won the javelin and Alan Shoultz, who won
the 440-yard hurdles.
Before the meet head coach Bill McClure said, "The meet
between us will be an even match-up. I think it will go to the
final event (the mile relay) before it is finally decided."
The meet had been verv close, but the Gamecocks pulled
away during the final events with victories in the 440 intermediate
hurdles, the three-mile run, and the mile relay.
THERE WERE a few surprises during the contest, especially
in the high jump. Carolina's premier leaper Steve Wilson didn't
compete due to a sprained arch in his foot. James Barrineau,
Georgia's candidate for the Olympic trials in the high jump
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easily won Ifie UVCIll WlUl & jump U1 ( ^ . ruiuuici octi jl?i lov. vruo
in the 880-yard run bewteen USC's John Brown and Tom
Perkins of Georgia. Brown was leading throughout the entire
race, when Perkins suddenly came alive and edged past Brown
at the finish.
After the race Brown said, "I was ready to run, but Perkins
runs similar to my style and he overtook me at the 660 mark. I
was running for a qualifying time for the Olympic trials. I hope
to get it at the Penn Relays next week."
OTHER FIRST place finishes for the Gamecocks were Gibbes
McDowell in the pole vault and Billy McElveen in the shot putt
with a toss of 55-7 Vfe". He said afterwards, "I was lifting weights
all week, so against Georgia I was really prepared."
Mike Shealy won in the 440-yard dash, and Pete Dalton won
the discus competition.
The Bulldogs were supported by the performance of Ken
Washington who won the 100-yard dash and the 220-yard dash.
Throughout most of the meet, both teams were sweeping
particular events with reasonable ease. Georgia took all three
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Relay and Carolina shut out Georgia in the long jump. In most
of the events the Gamecocks scored two performers.
JAVELIN THROWER Lou DeChicchio, who won by over 50
feet said, "I was disappointed, the competition was easy and I
wasn't motivated. This year I've been real consistent. I think I
can throw 250 at the Penn Relays next week."
After the meet McClure said, "I'm satisfied with our win ana
the performance of our individuals, especially our graduating
seniors. When I arrived at USC in 1972, there were 22 track
records. As of today there are only 3 that remain on the books. It
is a credit to this fine group of young men that I have been
associated with."
The Gamecocks travel to Philadelphia to compete in the Penn
Relays this Saturday.
all playoffs?
compete, and even though the rule has changed we still take
.jfe- this into consideration.
H"The depth of a team's pitching staff is important,
S&JAk , because we don't like to send a team w?th only a one-or twoman
staff to the regional tournament." Port said such
Us teams "haven't got a chance."
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evaluated, wins away from home are very important. "A
Sp I team's ability to win on the road is a real indication of their
I strength. A lot of teams win at home, but they must be able
'? to compete on the road, too."
Port called USC's schedule "average" and noted that its
pitching staff has improved. "They had a young staff at the
!!/ beginning of the season, and now they are starting to come
around. I think their games against Virginia Tech early in
iree at-large May will have a lot of influence on South Carolina's chann
any college ces. A win in May is more impressive than a win in
i either tour- February because it shows how much you have improved or
not."
on one of its Fort said he and other committee members have just now
petitive edge begun compiling information on possible selections to be
cks drew in announced in mid May. He said teams in the District III
not one of the right now include: Florida state, Jacksonville, ^ouin
Alabama, Memphis State, Miami of Florida, Carolina,
he said, "the Georgia Southern and South Florida.
tage and the "We are just now getting information on just what is ^
available in the Southeast," Port said. Other schools in
chools a team other regions of the country get started late, and their
y at least one- playoff picture is even cloudier than ours in the Southeast."
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