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Observations After covering four games between USC and Miami, I have a few observations: USC's playoff chances diminished considerably with the three embarrassing losses to the Hurricanes. The losses put the Gamecocks at 2-8 against ranked teams. The other win Lome u^ctuibi ^iwnson just over a weeK ago. Losing seven of eight games to the same team doesn't look too good no matter who the opponent is. It looks even worse when one is outscored 44-20 (62-31 for the eight game series). For USC to gain a playoff spot, it must beat the Citadel, which recently entered the Top 20. The Bulldogs host USC April 26, then travel to Columbia two days later. Although a 48 record against ranked teams won't exactly excite Sports Illustrated, it looks a bit better than 2-10. Thp ntfpnHpnpp at tho Miomi ? 1 ' * Uv 1.11V, miaiiii oci ico waa JJI CllJ gUUU. 11 drew a total of 15,400, a 3,850 average. But as usual, the fans weren't exactly what I'd call consistent. Of course, that's nothing new. Only when things look good would the crowd muster up the enthusiasm to cheer. When things go good, nobody can be louder than a Carolina fan. However, when things aren't going so hot . . . I've found Carolina fans to be rather fickle. They love the Gamecocks and scream until laryngitus sets in, yet very few USC fans know the rules of the sport they are watching. The umpiring behind the plate for the first three games left a lot to be desired? like consistency and accuracy. People got mad when the ump would really miss one and Coach June Raines wouldn't stnrm nut anH nnmnloiti 117^.11 1 1 * ??-... vuv unu Lviupiaiii. ??en, ciiiyuuuy wno calls themself a baseball fan knows that arguing on a ballstrike call means automatic ejection. One of the most useless arguments is that of a specific ball-strike call when you're watching from the bench or field. Maybe a few choice words on the way to or from the bench are in order, but to get thrown out because of one pitch doesn't make much sense. People Who Want To I At The U Special Programs Cor presents Camous Skal r ? Today | April 21 - Midday ji f nn (irppn A ** mum* l Rent Skates by the h 50$ must have U.S.C I. 3 ^ made possible by Student Activities Fee* . On The USC-Miami B Freshman Scott Mackie sure came in and did the job well. He started all four games and had two doubles in the first game and a hit in each game and is riding a five game hitting streak entering Monday's game with Pfeiffer. he made a game-saving catch in left field in USC's 6-2 win Friday night. His average isn't that good right now, but at the clip he's going, it'll be decent before long. MIKE LOUGH JpBHi Instead of covering Saturday's game, I was on the field as photographer, and saw probably the most unhappy player suited up in Robby Vollmer. Vollmer possesses the qualities of a superb future coach. Although the tri-captain wasn't playing much because of an ankle injury, he was still on the side shouting instructions and agonizing as Miami bombed USC. At times, he looked slightly nauseated. Of course, so did most of the nrnwH Vollmer is edging closer to the .300 mark and has 13 stolen bases in only 23 games, he has missed 14 because of the injury, he looked likehefelt that if he hadn't gotten injured, he might have been able to do his share and help the Gamecocks out. Even with a player of Vollmer's calliber, USC couldn't have done much better. Not only will USC lose a top-notch outfielder, but it will also be losing a leader, and they're hard to come by these days. y WW ?? - w ? - S-now What's Happening Iniversity of South Carolina F 1 nmittpp r S | TO ALL Stl | YEARBO e 198 p f Have YOU wc II tag yearoooK Z m Have you ha | if you have, : V I am looking , to work on t ^ ii you can get ? Floor Russell ? f?| fnllnuuinn or !P^ S 1 Sports Editor 9 Photo Editor :7W M index Editor II Academics Ed our I ~ M M * russeil recuse 5 jBS aseball Series It's amazing how a student newspaper can get thrown out of it's own press box because the "professionnals" can't cope with a slightly crowded press box. It didn't matter who got there early and got a seat. Just so long as the "professionals" are treated royally. The Gamecock is treated very strangely. Some coaches complain of not enough coverage in the Gamecock, while flthprs thinlf the ic o lnLrr? Donnla nnmnlnin mliAn m viiouk V?*v v# v? I 11W V/V r\ 10 U JVAV. A WpiV ^Vlll^lOlil VVIiUII we're not perfect, yet they don't give us the respect and cooperation that aids in improvement. Apparently, the Gamecock doesn't cover every game (I thought we came pretty close) because room had to be made for the guys who "cover here every day." The funny thing was that one of the "professionals" incorrectly stated in Sunday's Columbia paper that the 19-3 loss Saturday was the worst for USC since a 21-5 thrashing by Clemson in 1961. If this "professional" would have checked the USC baseball guide, he'd have seen that it was the largest margin of defeat since 1965 when the Tigers beat USC, 18-1. And in 1968, N.C. State walked over the Gamecocks by an 18-2 nAunf VUUlll.. Hopefully, the friendly confines of the press box will aid this "pro" in getting it right next time. After ejection from the press box, I sat down behind home plate and was treated to a superb performance on what to yell to a sightless umpire. Among the comic's gems were: "At least you won't be arrested for impersonating an umpire. "At least he doesn't have to worry about getting hit between the eyes. He's only got one and it doesn't work. "Put 'strike' in your vocabulary. Oops, I didn't meant to insinuate that you were an umpire. "You must be calling those pitches with mirrors. You're sure not using your eyes. "How do you get home when your seeing-eye dog is sick? "I hope you didn't plan to donate your eyes or your brain to science. They only want parts that work." lead The Gamecock. idents at use... | OK Editors needed for 1 ? GARNET sl m arsr >rked on a high school Jj d journalism experience? | i weed you; for qualified yearbookers :he Garnet & Black. m US an application in the 3rd I House, Room 313, for the litorships. Creek Editor I Student Life Editor I Student/Faculty Editor-^ itor organizations Editor <| W&F f BM^S HgBjBIRgggggggiM ||gp . fs?^^ w& I