University of South Carolina Libraries
King hits By Beth Campbell One is a slugger who swings for the fence every time he bats, and the other is a singles hitter, often described as college baseball's h<?st centerfiplripr First baseman and sometimes designated hitter Steve King is currently dominating Gamecock hitting statistics, leading the team in home runs, doubles and runs batted in. Cook, on the other hand, is one of the team's ^premier fielders. In last Rummer's College World Series Cook chased a fly ball hit 390 feet for one of the more spectacular catches at the Series. King, a 6-2, 210 pound junior from Wilmington, N.C., has been a three-time selection in the pro draft. The first draft came after high school by the St. Louis Cardinals and the California Angels, with whom he can sign until May 24. King said after the 4-0 win over Georgia Saturday, "If we don't Karate c J By Mitch Sherwood Carolina's karate club,in its firsl level, has participated in numei throughout the year and recently \n in competition at Columbia's A.C. I Karate was introduced to USC Roper, who taught karate as a short course concerned karate as an art a competitive fighting. Keitfi Vitali, one of Roper's sti over the short course and is also team. The short course and the clul | . . l ' .. ... : . ,. : . .... the long b make the regionals, I will negotiate with the Angels. But if we do make the regionals and win, I'll wait for the professional draft in June." KING MISSED the entire 1974 season with a broken leg. He has the ODtion of returning to IISC next year to complete a degree in Social Studies and playing for another season. His decision will be influenced by the offer he receives to turn professional. King is hitting .366. His last triumph came in Saturday's game with Georgia, when he hit his eleventh home run of the season in the first inning to drive in three runs. His home run set a new school record for (58) the most home runs ever hit in one season at use. Although this is the first season King has played first base, his fielding average is .981. "It's pleasing to me to start at a new position and be able to play well," he said. "I'm hitting the ball much I 1 _ - LUD very cc organizations, w t year at the club art while the te? ous tournaments The art kara 'An omrnr* o 1 r\l r% nnn techniaue while ' VII ov>vuoi piOLCd , 1 1 .11 Uora High School. acquired skills. in 1970 by John ln 01e tournar ; course. The short in men's *>lue-gr ind did not involve '? ^na^s- Th and John Orck v idents, has taken nancy Adkins w in charge of the green competiti d are two separate place second in SIKIIMwm -v, jF Mm * 4 w&sb * ^Kg all -- Coo better now that I'm out of my slump-46 RBI's and more homeruns-I'm really pleased. "I think the team is in good shape to make the reeionals," King said. "At first we were a little shakey because of the youth and lack of pitching depth, but we're improved now and ready." Cook, who played second base during his two years at MiamiDade North Junior College, is called "the glue that held us together" by head coach Bobby Richardson. "Steve has hit well, 1 J n guiiei! on udse anu urivun lit runs, Richardson said. "He's an integral part of our hitting." Cook was drafted in high school, by Atlanta in the fifth round and once each in the first round by the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Indians. But he chose a college education "in case anything happened in pro ball." Cook hopes to go high in the draft again. "I think my arm is strong enough for a professional cen>mpetitive ith the course teaching karate as an im competes with other area teams, te involves form, concentration and the club involves competitive use of nent held at A.C. Flora, three teams een belts division from USC made it e team of Tom Beall, John Kershaw /on first place while Rhoda Neal and on first place in the women's blueon. Kevin Carn and Bob Armstrong the white belt competition. r ? l I * jR&l I I -fl khirk Skjfi hH| npA/i A/^ JMHHE1&. iH f^JgKM^niHRBHl BbtL y hAHL x <k catches terfielder, but they may move me back to the infield, probably second base," Cook said. "I just want the chance to prove myself." Named to the College World Series All-Tournament team last summer, Cook hit .333 during the series. He also handled 124 fielding chances in his centerfield position without an error last year and has been charged with only one error this season. Cook said his career at USC is equal to any Class A and _1 ni A A A _ il. _ mosi ^iass /\/\ teams in me majors. "I really don't think that I lost anything by going to college instead of signing with a professional team earlier," he said. "But because I am a senior and 22 years oldt they may have an edge over me in bargaining power." Coming out of a recent batting slump, Look has regained his (Students eligible for Stud during the Spring Semestc during the summer may c Coverage during the sumn jj Contact Ms. Crapps, of tl I for more complete inforn care. This program of Summei on a voluntary basis as a ^^ I "' ' "r them confidence and has .278 batting average. "The more I hit, the more pressure I felt, and then the more I didn't hit," Cook said. "I'm just glad the slump is over." Cook is leading the team in triples, with four. Both King and Cook are waiting to see what the future holds for them in professional baseball. And like King, Cook has regional hopes for USC. "The team is really coming along," Cook said. "The defense has improved since the Florida trip, and the offense is hitting the ball much better. The pitching is much better, too. I think we can make it." With two professional aspirants like Steve King and Steve Cook in the line-up, Carolina's Regional uupco Luuiu ucvuiiic tcaiujr. Thomson Student 1 Health Center | University of | South Carolina ent Health Center services 1 x who will not be enrolled | ontinue their Health Care I ler by paying a health fee. -g le Student Health Service | nation for summer health | 1 Health Services is offered I result 01 student request. | $8888388^^ i