The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, March 26, 1996, Page 7, Image 7

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Gamecock! MATTPRUVYT Staff Writer ACHMM HUNT Asst. Sports Editor The USC baseball team continued its success against SEC opponents this weekend as it took two out of three games from No. 15 Mississippi State at Sarge Frye Field. Carolina has won five of their last six conference games, including a threegame sweep of Mississippi on the road last weekend. Sunday's victory broke a three-way tie for first place in the SEC East, giving the Gamecocks aole possession of the top spot. USC's pitching staff, which has struggled this season, delivered this weekend, giving up a total of seven runs in the two victories. Jason Haynie gave un onlv two runs Fridav in the first r w * complete game of his career, and Carolina's bullpen, the Achilles heel of the team up to this point, held the Bulldogs scoreless for 10 and one-third innings in Sunday's 14-inning victory. Here's how the games broke down: Sunday: The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 5-0 lead against starter Jason Pomar, who gave up eight hits, five runs and four walks in only three and twothirds innings. Mississippi State's offensive surge came in the top of the fourth, the last time they would score in the game, as four hits scored four runs. The Gamecocks rallied in their half of the fourth with the help of some sloppy play by the Bulldogs. Catcher Brian Hucks led off the inning with a single and was followed by first baseman Duke Williams, who reached on a throwing error by the third baseman. A balk and a wild pitch by Bulldog pitcher Jeremy Jackson scored Hucks and moved ttrii* x xl 11 f 1_ . . . 1 Lx Williams to imra Derore ne was Drougni home by a Brandon Walter ground out Two doubles, one by DH Ryan Bordenick and another by third baseman Jason Arbinger, completed the three-run inning. After picking up another run in the fifth on a Mark Mapes sacrifice fly, the Gamecocks struck again in the seventh inning. Center fielder Etienne Hightower sparked the offense with a double, one erf his four hits of the day. Back-to-back singles by right fielder Mike Curry and Mapes scored Hightower, tying the game at 5. And tied it would stay. The Gamecocks Fill ; hold on to had an opportunity to win in the bottom of the ninth but could not capitalize. Hightower led off with his second double, giving Carolina a man in scoring position with none out. After a Curry strike-out, however, the hit-and-run backfired as Hightower was double off on a liner to third. The Bulldogs likewise missed a chance to go ahead in the top of the 13th. Designated hitter Richard Lee reached on a single but was gunned down by trying to score on a double by first baseman Brian Clark. Despite a harsh collision at the plate, Hucks held on to Brandon Walter's relay throw for the out. Carolina finally pinned down the victory in the bottom of the 14th inning when Eric Stanton, who entered the game for Williams in the seventh, led off the inning with a monstrous home run to left, four hours and one minute after the game's first pitch. Reliever Oliver Harwas earned the win, giving up no runs and five hits in his four and two-thirds innings of work. The victory was set up by Brent Moore, who gave up only one hit and struck out four in five and two-thirds innings. Saturday: The Gamecocks appeared to take Saturday off as they were trounced fay the Bulldogs, 17-5. The potent Bulldog offense attacked the Carolina pitchers, who exhibited some of their early-season form. Friday: The closest Jason Haynie ever came to pitching a complete game was his freshman year when a fielding error cost him a no-hitter and the chance at a complete game. Haynie did not get his no-hitter Friday night, but he was able to get his first complete game of his college career. "The complete game was a big plus for the team as we were able to keep from using our bullpen up on the first night of the series," Loach June Karnes said. "We need to save our pitching for as long as we can." The game started out fast for the Gamecocks as they got a two-run home run from catcher Brian Hucks with one out in the second inning. Hucks also had a hit in the fourth inning that drove in another run to increase the Gamecock led to 3-0. w ? id Dr - i ? ' JUftG: ( jx : top spot ir H ' ^ :1 i r| -xP's - .; ?#< . ^ / I ' Gamecock pitcher Brett Jodie d gave up only three hits Saturday The lead was padded with a two-run double by Mapes in the fifth. The Gamecocks lead of five runs would never be challenged behind the strong pitching of the senior Haynie. The only two runs in the game by the Bulldogs were on a two-run shot deep to center field by Ben Hauswauld. The Bulldogs went on to load the bases with one out, but a pop fly killed the rally and iTST?? ivet Tune in to find ou on campus an in id % lore infi M ; ' * k %|Jl Listen to WUSC you can win Show youi diverse prot unique spei i SEC East - lout tramming ana aialty shows. . 15 to fine ormation. ' to find out what aking your pledge. r support of UjUB % . vX. X , ? f what's happening d around town. 'S#:- '$?&& :.. \ H| Mf 1>L Is $ xtra v TYSON KTTMREW The Gamecock silvers the ball to tho plato. Jodie In USC's only loee of the weekend. led the Gamecocks to the upset of the 15th ranked Bulldogs 5-2. Haynie's effort on Friday earned him [ the SEC Pitcher of the Week Award. Hie impressive outing came against a team r offense ranked fourth in the SEC. i Hie 16-9 Gamecocks will host Coastal s Carolina Wednesday night before going i on the road for a three game series with I Arkansas. SC BRIEFS Staff Reports SOFTBALL The No. 8 Lady Gamecoc] ventured to Fullerton, Calif, this p? weekend to participate in the Poi Invitational. After starting off slo dropping games to No.12 Oklahom 2-0, and DePaul, 4-2, in first-di action, Carolina came on strong aay two. rne Laay LramecocKs puu off their biggest win of the ye defeating the No. 1 Wildcats fro Arizona, 1-0, when junior Cham Lee scored on a Tina Piew double the third evening. Later that evening, Carolii would face No. 5 Cal State Nor Ridge in First-round action of tl single elimination championsh bracket and come away with a 2 victory. After a month on the road, t Lady Gamecocks are coming hoi on April 6 and 7 to face national] ranked Southwestern Louisiana 2 pun. on the Lady Gamecock Softb Field. MEN'S TENNIS The Gamecocks upset their fi] ranked opponent and recorded thi first SEC win Tuesday afterno with a 4-3 victory over No.! Tennessee. With this win, Sou Carolina improved to 10-3 while t Volunteers fell to 6-3. With the Gamecocks down 2 freshman Francesco Cattini pull the Gamecocks even with V Volunteers at 3-3 with his win in t sixth match of the day. With t match in his hands, senior Max Jimenez won his match to win t overall match 4-3 over the Voluntee The Gamecocks lost to LSU Friday 7-0 in a clean sweep of t action for the Tigers. On Sunday, 1 Gamecocks lost a heartbreaker Auburn 4-3. The winners of the match w< Maxsy Jimenez, Gregorz Badurow and Franseco Cattini. The loss dn the Gamecocks record to 10-5 on 1 season. WOMEN'S TENNIS aga . ...v.-:*:-:*-*' t . ' On the strength of doubles play, the Lady Gamecocks pulled out a is tight match in a 5-4 upset over 13th ist ranked Vanderbilt. With the win, ly USC improved to 11-6 overall and w, 4-1 in the SEC. ia, With the match all even at 3-3 ay after the singles competition, the in doubles play for the Lady Gamecocks j il. i rm_ _ t _ j__ n 1 ea was uie Key. ine Jjaay uamecuuu) ar traded matehee with the Commodores m until they finally won with the victory ia of Celine Reginer and Tobi Rakic. in SOCCER oa th The Athletics Department he announced Friday that after a series ip of discussions with the 1-0 engineer/contractor, plans now call for the construction of a new soccer he stadium to proceed as previously ne scheduled. ly- Last month, it was announced at that the project would be delayed for all a year because the bids for the project were higher than originally expected. Following a re-evaluation of the project's' design and construction means and methods, which resulted nst in significant savings, the university sir has decided to proceed with the on project. 26 The project will begin immediately, th and it should be ready for play this he fall. The low bidder for the project is Contract Construction Company of -3, Ballentine, S.C. ed The new stadium, which will seat h e 4,500, will be built on the west side he of the "The Graveyard" where the he men's and women's soccer teams ;sy currently play. An additional 1,400 he seats will be available by moving the its. current stands to the east side of the on field, he he FOOTBALL to The USC football team wrapped ire up their second week of spring practice icz on Saturday with a situational >ps scrimmage. The scrimmage showed he an improving defense and an offense that worked well behind the abilities of redshirt sophomore Anthony Wright. nza WUSC9Q5FM