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Basebal opens se ptr HDTPT* HAirm uj vaivuvji i/tt V ICi Gamecock Staff Writer Not too many people are thinking about baseball right now, but for Coach June Raines, it is the only thing on his mind. Returning with a 43-12-1 record and the NCAA runner-up position would seem a pleasant spot to be in. However, with only four starters remaining from last year and a depleted pitching staff, Raines will be challenged to bring Carolina another successful season. "Sure it'll be tough, but that's the jfk AW ' > Vy ^ June Raines way we want it. This year, everyone will gun for us, and will use their best pitchers against us." THE GAMECOCKS FACE their first test today when they meet Baptist College at Charleston. Baptist was an upset winner over Carolina last year. Raines believes another successful season will depend on his pitchers; "If we do it, it'll have to come from our pitching staff," Raines said. "We lost four outstanding pitchers, and one great to 1-- - piivuci in nauuy manz. "We do have Hal Hutchins (7-0) back, and that's a good place to ^WwSbm :| MiEit ^^H|^BH|H USC fencer Mark Thornberry en garde attack In the foil again Charles Thompson. Thompson last weekend in the Pink and 1 team a son i m ?v-^ * AARON SCOTT and Jeff Twitty are possibles to add depth to the pitching staff. "Both did some fine pitching last year in junior college and we're hoping they can do the same for us this season/' he said. Another asset the Gamecocks lost from last year is the speed. "In (Mark) Van Bever and ((Mookie) Wilson we lost two of the fastest guys around. Now four or five players will have to steal is to 20 bases in order to equal last year's total," Raines said. The Gamecocks have four returning starters whose experience should help this season. Co-captains Johnny Long and Chuck McLean lead the returnees with Greg Jonson and Bart Murphy. "Long will be our catcher, no matter what," said Raines. "McLean (left field) and Jonson (shortstop) are fixtures as well." LONG AND McLEAN both hit .270 last season and both drove in 36 runs. Jonson batted .238. Murphy, who hit .287, will move from third base to "probably designated hitter," according to Raines. Three of the four Gamecock infielders are newcomers. Sophomore Tom "Termite" Willimas will play second base. "He's a good gloveman and looks good on the double play with Jonson," said Raines. John Marquardt, of Temple Jr. College will play third base "because we feel he's a stronger fielder than Murphy," Raines said. The first baseman will be Wes Westbrook of Chipola Junior College. He has proven to be a smart ball player both offensively and defensively, according to the coach. Joining McLean in the outfield will be Ray Messemer of SUNY Farmingdale in right and Randy practices his tournament at < st club coach first in the foil participated match will be a Blue fencing March 11-12. Dfflh Jw^ ' ,::>SK:::: . IISP hpad KaoAknll ~ _ ft. uaocwail CUitCIl oversees preseason workouts in p today's opening game with Ba] Rodgers of DeKalf Jr. College in center. OTHER HOPEFULS this spring include Tom Mixon at second , Jim Curl at first, Eddie Adams catching and outfielders Paul Hollins and Ronnie Crapps. In the early season games, the cold weather may not be a factor to the USC players, according to Raines. "Oh, sure, there'll be some cold games in the beginning," Raines said. "But I think after practicing in this weather for several weeks, the players are used to it. "The first two weeks will enahlp us to tell pretty much who our pitchers will be. Also we'll get a good idea of howe long they can go. We do have a couple of excellent relievers." Raines said that he and the team feels the season will be another successful one. "The boys feel, and I do too, that they can play and beat anyone," Raines said. "And the fact that we are the team to beat this time around makes it that much more exciting. "We know we'll face the best nitoVinrc1 l-? 14 a f * ^/>kviivi o anu UUICI& iroiu every i team we'll meet," said Raines. i ^IBMBMliMl s Britton Andrew-THE GAMECOCK tCharleston where he came in competition. The club's next I 11 open tournament in Augusta < i ....... m II < W X ' Klii . - K., ffifi I *" ' .; Jfe ,ibaiii *i M* * ' <*' "^SfcidJkr ? ^WEBB6I6 i. June Raines The 1977 NCAA rum reparation for season Wednesday itist College. Sport SI USC's baseball team opens their seas College of Charleston. USC's starting pit of four returning starters from last year1 The team's first home game will be a Wednesday at the Rex Enright baseba The USC men's tennis team will comj Tuesday at the Maxcy-Gregg tennis cc The USC women's tennis team defeate r?i a A ? - - ^naiianooga i>-4. U5C won tyhe match e; singles matches. The Lady Gamecocks' next match w Marion College. The USC men's swim team will compel Conference Tournament March 2-4 at 5 ^ Maxcy claims thir< U.i M ATT iif A ? !* /%! i h/ii\u Psi. Sports Editor Chi entei It seems the number three the j position is the hardest position to hold on to in the intramural . basketball poll. In the beginning of 's A the intramural rankings AFRO ^p111 was ranked third. They held on to their position for two weeks until ^nt< they were defeated by Newman. ^in " AFRO was replaced in the third ? spot by Omega Psi Phi. Omega Psi ( Phi also held on to the third spot for two weeks until they were upset by Sigma Chi last week 35-33. Moving , v into the vacated third spot this week is Maxcy. Maxcy improved its record to 5-0 with a 46-41 win 3ver Thornwell. Omega Psi Phi irops to the seventh spot. Remaining in the first and o\ second positions for the fifth ' straight week is Kappa Alpha and \lpha Phi Alpha respectively. 4V Kappa Alpha, the defending in- " ramural champions, raised their ecord to 4-0 with an easy 68-41 win 5) >ver Phi Delta Theta. Alpha Phi \lpha also remain undefeated as hey claimed a 77-37 decision over 6) Kappa Sigma. Rising two spots from the sixth >osition to the fourth spot is ?) Columbia Hall. They continue L-i- * * - ~ iieir unaeieaiea siring of four Q. straight games as they beat o) >reviously ninth-ranked Moore 539)1 Also moving up two spots from ' .he seventh to fifth-position is Omicron Delta Epsilon. Dropping from fifth to ninth is Kappa Alpha ^ 1 * i ' ... .> * * 1 HH p Britton Andrew-THE GAMECOCK nerups will open their home atfainct IT1a? ?* ? ? ? uiVll 4M% O p?IU? ^ lorts ion today at 3 p.m. at Baptist cher will be Hal Hutchins, one s NCAA runners-up. gainst Elon College at 3 p.m. 11 field. jete against Auburn at 2 p.m. urts. d the University of Tennessee arly by winning five of the six ill be Wednesday at Francis te in the National Independent southern Illinois. ) ? i position Kappa Alpha Psi was upset by Psi 37-36. University Union red the poll for the first time at >ixth spot. aiding on to the eighth-position FRO. AFRO held on to defeat ng Democrats 52-51 for their 1 win against one defeat, jring the poll for the first time \e tenth spot is Sigma Nu. Intramural poll Kappa Alpha 4-0 Alpha Phi Alpha 4-0 Maxcy 5-0 ColiimKia H oil A-C\ ?J? AAU11 T_V ODE 5-0 University Union 4-0 Omega Psi Phi 4-1 Afro 3-1 SCappa Alpha Psi 4-1 | Sigma Nu 3-1 y