Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Charleston Soujtem Buccaneers Series Dates: F^EfljS 1999 record: 26i3|$ Notes: The BucjSrdlw by sophomore Ryan Smith, whiffet^ 1 with a 3.95 ERA in 1999. Seiqpdh|leman Jay Conigale hit .338fn 19^as a junior. Delaware State Hamels Series Dates: Feb. 18-20 1999 record: 20-23 Notes: Senior outfielder Mark Mercaldo led the team in batting at .343 and senior pitcher Gomian Johnson led the MEAC with six saves in 1999. Tripp Keister, former USC assistant coach, is in Ms second season as Delaware State’s head coach. Campbell Rghtin’ Camels Series Dates: Feb, 22 l,999 recoEfc^V^ Notes: Look for senior catcher and outfield er Jeff Davis tomakea Ugrmpact Davis reached base safely in 11 of the Camels’ last 13 games, batting .417 during his stretch. College of Charleston Cougars Series Dates: PeBSfe27- ~23> 1999 record: 31-24 Brett Davey, caKher RonnyManaol and pitcher Lucas Mocker. whoareCharieston's returning All-Southem Conference players. Radford Buccaneers :-“ - Series Dates: March 3-5 1999 s 22-30 Notes: elder Bill McCarthy and infielder Waldi, who berth hit .337 in 1999, retiHnto lead the Highlanders'pffense. Furman Paladins^ Series Dates: March 8 1999 record: 23-35 , Notes: Tommy John ill, son of the former major-league pitcher, hit 314 and led the Paladins in home runs (9) in 1999. John is one of eight starters returning for Furman. Auburn Tigers jfc Series Dates: March 10-12 1999 record: 46-19 Notes: Look for sophomore Gabe Cross, who was a freshman All-American in 1999, to come tfp big in the series. UNCAshe; Series Dai 1999 recoi Notes: Miki lorth Carolina season as coach of the the father of former USC Roberts. Honda Series Dai 1999 r Notes: second in the gaps left by the' Wofford Series Dates: 1999 record: Outlook: Eigh 14 wins came in the ‘ )9. Louisiana State Tigers Series Dates: March 24-26 1999 record: 41-24-1 |§f §§ Outlook: Blair Barbier hit .293 with 13 homers and 51 RBfsm 1999. He brings the experience of two College World Series and a national championship to the Tigers’ clubhouse.' The Citadel Bulldogs Series Dates: April 5* 1999 record: 41-20 ' Outlook: Dallas McPherson was picked to win Southern Conference player of the year by Baseball America. Mississippi -State Bulldogs Series Dates: April 7*12 1999 record: 4Sl*. Outlook: Tie Build oof three in 1999 at Starkville, ClemsonTjy Series Dal If 1999 reci Outlook: jp Jeff Baker leads a mgs tanked No 1 in the nation ^ebai America. Henri Stanley and Thomas Boozer arebdtii Columbia natives. Vanderbilt Commodores Series Dates: April 14-16 1999 record: 22-33 ; g • Outlook: The Gamecocks swept last year’s series against the Commodores. This year should be no different. Davidson Wildcats Series Da 1999 record Outlook: The Gamecocks won both games last season with a combined score of 29-1. Kentucky Wildcats Series Dates: April 21-23 1999 record: 25-32 life. Outlook: Catcher John Wilson is a pre season All-American for fee second con secutive year, the first ever for Kentucky. 1999 of three Seniors lead Georgia. Arkansas Razqrbacks 1999secortfc 42-23 Outlooks Razorback sophomore pitcher Charlie Isaacson has been named a presca son *" Duke Blue Devils Series Dates: May 10 1999 record: Outlook: The Gamecocks won last year's meeting 11-6 IB Colombia Tennessee Volunteers Series Dates: May-12-14 1999 record: 28-&r2l|fcj^ Outlook: Second baseman Chris Burke was named freshman All-American in 1999 after leadingthe Vbls witha372 average. He broke llT'marks for average. hits and doubles. _ — i Sports Editors Jeff Romig Assistant Sport Shannon Rooke - Senior Writer* Jared Kelowita Staff Writers Kyle Almond Rick Johnston Photographers Jacquelyn Poston {cove-' S’an Rayford Layout and Graphics • _ Baseball Roundup Gamecock Sports The USC baseball program an nounced the signing of 13 student-ath letes to national letters of intent. Highlighting the early signing peri od class are three in-state players: Out fielder Jason Ross of Sumter, the No. 1 outfielder in South Carolina, and the two top pitchers in the state from Mauldin High School, LHP David Marchbanks and RHP Chris Carter. Ross, who has started for the varsi ty team since eighth grade, is the No. 1 ranked outfielder by the S.C. Sports Report. He was named MVP of the 1999 America Legion State Tournament, where he batted .529 with 4 HR and 12 RBI.s. In the championship game, he had one double, one triple, 2 homers and 8 RBIs. He was named an Honorable Mention All-American by USA Today last spring. “This is a talented group,” said head baseball coach Ray Tanner. “Wfe felt we needed to sign a relatively large class be cause we will lose five seniors and pos sibly four or five juniors to the profes sional draft. Wfe were able to bolster our pitching staff, strengthen our infield, make our outfield better and add a front line catcher.” 2000 USC Baseball Recruiting Class Name Pos. B/T HL Wt Gary Bell LHP/OF L/L 6-0 190 Chris Bono OF/IB L/R 6-3 210 Chris Carter RHP R/R 6-1 175 Garris Gonce C R/R 5-11 210 Justin Hileman INF R/R 6-0 175 Joey Lamb RHP R/R 6-0 190 Tommy McLane LHP L/L 6-0 170 David Marchbanks LHP L/L 6-2 180 Kevin Melillo INF L/R 5-11 175 Jason Ross OF R/L 5-11 190 Josh Shortslef LHP L/L 6-4 205 Blake Taylor RHP R/R 6-0 160 Scott Thorman 3B/RHP L/R 6-3 215 High School/Junior College Daytona Beach Community College (FL) Brevard Junior College (FL) Mauldin High School (SC) Florida Community College-Jacksonville Palmyra High School (PA) Young Harris Junior College (GA) St. Petersburg Junior College (FL) Mauldin High School (SC) Lake Brantley High School (FL) Sumter High School (SC) Hannibal High School (NY) Chipola Junior College (FL) Preston High School (Ontario, Canada)