Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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WHILE YOU WERE GONE... ~ PHOTO BY ROBERT GRUEN/THE GAMECOCK Trey Dyson's clutch hitting played a huge part In the USC baseball team's postseason run. Baseball blazes way to Omaha Gamecocks lose CVFS title game but impress on national stage BY J. KEITH ALLEN THE GAMECOCK The USC baseball team fell one game short in its quest for its first national championship, but it burst onto the national scene by winning four straight games in this sum mer’s College World Series. The Gamecocks finished the year with a school-record 57 wins and advanced further than any USC baseball team since 1975. After falling to Georgia Tech 11 0 in the Series’ opening game, Carolina roared back, defeating Nebraska 10-8 and winning their rematch with Georgia Tech 9-5. The Gamecocks followed those vic tories with a pair of wins (12-4 and 10-2) over in-state rival Clemson to advance to the title game against Texas. Freshman Aaron Rawl, who had pitched a complete game in the win over Georgia Tech, took the mound for USC on three days rest. He could not contain the powerful Longhorns lineup, however, which paved the way for a 12-6 win. It was the fifth CWS Championship for Texas and the team’s first title since 1983. Despite the Series loss, Tanner lauded his team’s efforts. “At this moment, it still stings and is very disappointing,” Tanner said. “But there’s only two teams playing baseball to day, and I’m proud we were one of them.” It was Tanner’s first career trip to the CWS, which is Tanner played in Omaha, Neb. He had previ ously vowed never to attend the CWS unless he was fielding a team that was competing in the tournament. The Gamecocks returned from Omaha after the tournament and were greeted by approximately 2,500 fans at Sarge Frye Field. . Tanner told the crowd that he already has his sights set on next season. “Yesterday, we played for a Carolina eliminates BY KYLE ALMOND THE GAMECOCK USC’s baseball team lost three of four to Clemson during the regular season, but the Gamecocks won when it count ed. The Gamecocks single-hand edly eliminated the top-ranked Tigers from the double-elimi nation College World Series with a pair of wins in Omaha. USC overcame a quick Tigers start in the first meeting to win 12-4 and stay alive in the CWS. Freshman pitcher Matt national championship,” he said. “Today, we begin our quest to do it again.” Center fielder/second baseman Justin Harris and catcher Landon Powell were named to the CWS All Tournament Team for their efforts in the Series. However, Powell did not have time to savor the accolade. He was selected to play on the USA rival when it counts Campbell pitched 5-1/3 score less innings and struck out a ca reer-high eight to lead the Gamecocks, who were fighting off elimination after losing to Georgia Tech in the tourna ment’s opening game. Junior pitcher Steven Bondurant topped Campbell’s performance the next day, lim iting Clemson to two runs and throwing a complete game in USC’s 10-2 victory. The second win over Clemson put Carolina in the na tional title game against Texas, which the Longhorns won 12-6. National Team, and he has already embarked on a 30-game tour with the squad. The Apex, N.C., native reported to the team last Monday in Tucson, Ariz. Powell finished his sophomore campaign with USC batting .292 with 12 home runs and 53 RBIs. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecocksports@hotmail.com 5 USC players chosen in MLB draft BY J. KEITH ALLEN THE GAMECOCK The USC baseball team had five players selected in this sum mer’s Major League Baseball Draft. All American short stop Drew Meyer became the high est draft pick in Carolina history when the Texas Rangers took him as the 10th pick in the first round. Meyer Meyer’s draft selection puts the finishing touches on his record-setting sea son in Columbia. The Charleston native broke the school’s single season records for hits (111), sin gles (80) and at-bats (293). In ad dition to his All-American hon ors, Meyer was also named to the All-SEC team, and he led the Gamecocks in stolen bases (36) and runs scored (77) as well this year. USC first baseman Yaron Peters and pitcher Gary Bell were chosen as back-to-back picks in the 10th round. Peters was selected by the Atlanta Braves after being named 2002 SEC Player of the Year and breaking single-season records for home runs (27) and RBIs (89). Peters, like Meyer, was named All-American, and his six home runs and eight RBIs led the Gamecocks past North Carolina in the NCAA Regionals. The New York Yankees took Bell right after Peters was cho sen. Bell had a 10-2 record this year and led the team with 86 strikeouts. He has compiled a 20-7 record over two seasons at Carolina while logging 201.1 in nings of work. The senior from Ponce Inlet, Fla., pitched three dazzling con secutive postseason games for the Gamecocks this year, including a complete-game win against Arkansas in a 10-1 victory in the opening round of the SEC Tournament. Team captains Garris Gonce and Blake Taylor were selected on the second day of the draft. Gonce, the starting left field er for USC, was chosen in the 31st round by the St. Louis Cardinals. Gonce played in all but two of Carolina’s games this year and posted a .303 batting av erage with 16 home runs and 51 RBIs. After breaking the Carolina record for saves in a season (20), Taylor was taken in the 39th round by the Cleveland Indians. The Columbus, Ga., native also made two crucial starts in USC’s run to the College World Series, including a complete-game, 11 strikeout performance over North Carolina in the deciding Regional game. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecocksports@hotmail.com '_. I Champs CONTINUED ROM PAGE B6 Among the first to show their appreciation was the USC baseball team, and head coach Ray Tanner thought his squad was inspired by the track teams’ success. “We kept up with how the track teams were doing in Baton Rouge, and when we heard the news Saturday night that the women had won the national ti tle ... it just made me so proud to be a part of the athletics depart ment at South Carolina,” Tanner said. Frye looked around Sarge Frye and summed up the emotional meet and the homecoming. “This whole thing has been a little surreal until now,” he said. “I think it has just hit home that we won the national title.” Comments on this story?E-mail gamecocksports@hotmail.com Meet USC’s first national champs You can meet the national champions next Thursday, Aug. 29, at the Frank McGuire Room, located in the Volleyball Competition Facility next to the Carolina Coliseum. The Black Alumni Council is honoring the team’s accomplishments there from 5:30-7:30 p.m., and head coach Curtis Frye will speak along with selected athletes. The team will also be signing autographs and showing off their NCAA Championship trophy. To attend the event, call 777 4111 ore-mail ergambr@gwm.sc.edu by Friday. All ages are welcome, _____ Officials Wanted indoor soccer flag football softball Earn money in sports. We work around your class schedule. 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