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Gamecock Sports Schedule ■ Baseball vs. Elon, 7 p.m. Wednesday ■ Softball at Georgia (doubleheader), 4 p.m. Wednesday ■ Softball at Georgia, 4 p.m. Thursday ■ Baseball at Alabama, 7 p.m. Friday %\\t (BatntCOCk Wednesday, March 28, 20011 Johnson adapting well for USC ■ Gamecock softball team to take on Georgia by Casey White The Gamecock The USC softball team, currently ranked No. 17 in the nation, is benefiting immensely this season from the talent and determination of freshman pitcher Stacey Johnson. The 5-foot- 10-inch right hander from Newtown, Pa. is already making a name for herself in collegiate softball, posting an impressive 104 record in her first season at Carolina. Johnson says she came to USC for its Southern hospitality and the welcoming teammates and coaches, but she quickly discovered the collegiate game itself is not as friendly as she had envisioned. “College softball is very different than what I expected it to be. It’s a lot more competitive than I had ever imagined,” Johnson said. “The transition to the college game has been really hard for me. I was sick first semester, and all the conditioning is a lot of hard work. “You have to get used to it, but I got through it. This semester has been much more enjoyable.” Luckily, Johnson has had a positive role model in fellow pitcher Megan Matthews, who has helped her adjust to the college game. Though she admits playing with an outstanding pitcher such as Matthews can be intimidating, the benefits have been worthwhile. “Playing with Matthews is really overwhelming sometimes,” Johnson said. “Before I came to USC, all I had seen were articles about her, and I couldn’t believe I was going to play with someone so talented. “I look up to her, and I respect her. She’s helped me out with a lot, and she’s very encouraging. I couldn’t ask for a better upperclassman to help me with my position.” Even while Johnson is learning the ropes, she is bringing some of her own strengths to the mound. “I think for being a freshman, I think I have very good composure on the mound,” she said. “I don’t let things rattle me, and I try to show that I have confidence so that the team will believe in me. You have to have confidence in yourself before your team will trust you.” Despite not having the strikeout numbers Matthews has, Johnson has a lower ERA then her teammate (1.23) and has done a good job of keeping the ball in the park, only allowing one home run all season. In addition, she already has four shutouts on the season. Even with her outstanding showing so far this year, Johnson still to wants improve her performance as the season continues. “I’m actually kind of disappointed with my performance so far this season,” she said. “I know I should do better, and I will with more practice and pitching more games. “It’s going to come with experience. * • 6 G ■ LOCATION: Athens, Ga. ■ TIMES: Wednesday, 4 p.m. (doubleheader) and Thursday, 4 p.m. ■ RECORDS: USC (21-12 1, 5-4 SEC), UGA (20-17, 2-9) I’m still learning how to play college ball. I have realized that the competition has become sharper, and I am going to have to get better with my game to stay competitive. I haven’t showed anyone my best ability yet.” Johnson has set some lofty goals for herself and the team for the rest of the season. “I’d like to help the team go to regionals and the SEC tournament, but personally, I’d like to follow in Matthews’ steps so we can help the team together,” she said. “I’d like to show the team, coaches and even myself how good I can be because I don’t think I’ve come close to it yet. I’d like to show them what I’m capable of doing.” Johnson will get a chance to start Johnson seepages Travis Lynn/The Gamecock USC’s Stacey Johnson has been a steady No. 2 pitcher behind Megan Matthews this season. Aaron'Hark/The Gamecock Bryon Jeffcoat and the Gamecock baseball team improved to 23-4 with their win over the College of Charleston on Tuesday night. USC extends winning streak to four games ■ No. 5 Gamecocks walk over College of Charleston by Kyle Almond The Gamecock Three runs scored on bases-loaded walks catapulted the fifth-ranked USC baseball team to a 5-3 victory over the College of Charleston on Tuesday night. With the victory, the Gamecocks (23-4) have now won four straight games, coming off a three game home sweep of Vanderbilt last weekend. Holding a slim 2-1 lead in the fifth inning, the Gamecocks were able to load the bases with two outs. Brennan Dees, Tripp Kelly and Bryon Jeffcoat then drew three straight walks to give Carolina a 5-1 advantage. The Cougars (16-13) added a pair of runs, one in the bottom of the fifth and one in the eighth, but they were unable to pull out the upset in front of 2,762 home fans at Patriot’s Point Field. Blake Taylor (1-0) earned his first win as a Gamecock, pitching two scoreless innings in relief of starter Matt Wilson. Taylor allowed a hit and a walk and struck out three Cougars. David Jablonski (1 -2) took the loss, allowing four hits and four earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. Carolina opened the scoring early in the top of the first when a throwing error brought in center fielder Marcus McBeth, who had reached base on a double. Kelly added a solo home run in the second inning, 5 3 his sixth of the season. Cougar Tradd Denny hit an RBI double in the fourth to cut the lead to one, but Jablonski got wild in the next inning, ultimately costing his team the game. Surprisingly, the Gamecocks were outhit 13-6 by Charleston, but the Cougars couldn’t compensate for its sloppy fifth inning. McBeth finished 2-for-4, and new leadoff hitter Drew Meyer also had a pair of hits. Michael Floyd hit a single and scored a mn. Cougar third baseman Mitch Miggenbuig had a game-high three hits in four at-bats. Denny added a pair of hits. USC will return to Columbia and take on Elon at Saige Frye Field today. The Phoenix upset Carolina last season 7-5 on the same field. Gametime is set for 7 p.m. The Cougars will get back to Southern Conference play Friday, beginning a three-game series at UNC Greensboro. The sports desk can be reached at gamecocksports@hotmail.com Will USC ever find Fogler’s replacement? ■ Search for men's basketball coach already entering its third week BY DARRAH DENSMORE The Gamecock As the search for Eddie Fogler’s replacement enters its third week, speculation has become the buzzword for fans: USC Athletics Director Mike McGee maintains a tight-lipped approach in his pursuit of a high-profile coach. McGee doesn’t expect a new coach to be in place before next week. That could be an early estimate, because the groundbreaking ceremony for the Gamecocks’ arena has been delayed from April 10 until April 25 so the new $ ^ coach will be on hand. “There probably won’t be any news until after the Final Four,” McGee has said. This past week, three of the biggest names that had been mentioned in connection with the opening said they had no interest in making the move to Columbia Missouri’s Quin Snyder, the former Duke point guard who led the Tigers to the second round of the NCAA Tournament this year, said he has no plans of leaving Columbia Mo. anytime soon. “I’m not interested in being anywhere but here,” Snyder said. “I haven’t talked to anybody, and I don’t intend to talk to anybody.” Oklahoma’s Kelvin Sampson, who interviewed for the USC job wlien Fogler was hired in 1993, also indicated his happiness with his current position, saying that he “has a great job at | ' Oklahoma,” and has no interest in leaving. “I grew up in North Carolina, and I think South Carolina is a good job for somebody,” Sampson said. “I wish (McGee) luck. I hope he finds a great candidate, but the candidate won’t be me.” It is likely that the $990,000 buyout clause in Sampson’s contract would have prevented McGee from hiring him, especially considering the $750,000 buyout of Fogler. Similarly, Rod Barnes of Ole Miss has been touted as a candidate, but he also has a $450,000 buyout. Other high profile candidates who have removed their names from consideration include Tim Floyd of the NEA’s Chicago Bulls, who said through a spokesman that he has no interest in USC, and Bobby Cremins, who has said that he is “not a candidate at South Carolina.” £ ‘There probably won’t be any news until after the Final Four. ’ Mike McGee USC Athletics Director Cremins, a former USC guard and GeoigiaTech coach who initially agreed to coach the Gamecocks in 1993 before reneging, said that while he is not being actively pursued, he “would listen” if McGee came calling. Another high profile name — possibly the most prominent thus far— has expressed some interest in the USC job, but appears to be a remote possibility. Kentucky’s Tubby Smith said he is looking forward to returning as the Wildcats’ coach next season and is in the process of negotiating a contract extension with athletics director Larry Ivy. However, it has been widely reported that Smith’s agents have entered into preliminary talks with USC and that the coach has expressed some interest. “I’m really excited about the future,” Smith said of returning to coach a Kentucky team which will likely be one of the favorites to win the NCAA Championship next year. “I’m just looking forward to sitting down with Larry (Ivy) and getting (the new contract) done.” From all the uncertainty of the past two weeks emerge a few interesting Search see page 9 Sports Commentary Ml Another candidate out of the running The results are in, the votes have been tallied and we have a winner. Even though The Gamecock’s online poll says I’m the student body’s over- ^montl whelming choice to is a second-year replace Eddie Fogler student in the as head coach of the College of USC men’s basketball Journalism and team, I must re- Mass spectfully pull myself Communications.. out of the running and He can be reached decline any interest in via e-mail at the position. gamecocksports® I still have a vision hotmail.com. for Gamecock basket ball, one that might take us to the Promised Land or March Madness, but I have an obligation to the readers of The Gamecock that I must fulfill. So sadly, my friends, I must do my best Roy Williams impression and elect to keep being your favorite sports editor, and as one reader put it, The Gamecock’s “only hoptl for integrity.” But I still want to see my school succeed on the hardwood, so I will take this opportunity to lend some advice to Mike McGee and the rest of the USC Athletics Department. Hire a coach who really wants to be here. Rather than going after all the big names and throwing obscene amounts of cash in their direction to come here, choose a coach that looks at USC as a dream job. Choose a coach that really wants to take the challenge of making us a national power. A coach that has the energy, enthusiasm and patience to make everything work. Instead of going after a name, go after someone who wants to make a name for himself and our school. Don’t get me wrong; I think rumored candidates such as Tubby Smith and Kelvin ' Sampson are outstanding coaches and class acts, but they’ve already found success. Let’s get a coach that is so hungry for just a taste of that success that he will do anything in his power to get it — within NCAA rules, of course. Let’s get someone who will look at this position as an honor and an opportunity rather than a job and a contractual obligation. If that leaves Winthrop’s Gregg Marshall, so be it. Marshall has taken Wmthrop to the NCAA tournament, but succeeding in a top conference like the SEC is a whole new ballgame. A native of Greenwood, Marshall is an up-and-coming coach who would relish the chance to succeed in his home state and bring pride back to its oldest university. Another possible candidate who might f be a good nt is tgasp;; Bobby Cremins. l ne golden-haired Cremins accepted the USC coaching job almost a decade ago only to change his mind three days later and stay at Georgia Tech. But it seems pretty obvious he wants a second chance. True, he ticked off a lot of Gamecock fans, and probably Mr. McGee as well, when he turned his back on his alma mater, but why can’t we just forgive and forget? He’s still a Gamecock, and he showed how well he can coach while he was with the Yellow Jackets. Why hold agrucjge? Perhaps it’s time to give him an opportunity to make up for everything. The bottom line is to get someone who wants to be here, not someone who is settling for the job, who wants to get out of his current situation, or who wants more money. Lou Holtz was successful with the football team because he wanted to take the challenge head on and because he wanted to be here. The same principle should apply with basketball. I’m not here to endorse a particular candidate. I still have a hangover from SG elections. But I am here to endorse a particular type of candidate. One who is actively pursuing the job, not one who we are actively pursuing. Mr. McGee, I hope you take my advice into consideration. I’m sorry that I am deleting myself from your “A-list,” but think about what I’ve said. I’m sure you’ll hire Carolina’s new coach soon, and hopefully, that hiring will be the start of our journey back to the Big Dance.