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■ WRECKED Continued from page 9 favor of sophomore left-hander Forrest Beverly. Beverly gave up only four hits and one run in six and two-thirds innings, his longest outing of the season. USC opened the regional tournament with a 6-5 victory against Michigan decided in the bottom of the ninth Friday. witn tne game Knotted 3-3, USC junior outfielder Davy Gregg beat out a two-strike bunt attempt to lead off the bottom of the ninth. Campbell followed with a sacrifice bunt. Michigan attempted to force out Gregg at second. Gregg was called safe, and as the Wolverine infielders argued the call, he tore oft Tfld took third base. A Steven Tolleson walk loaded the bases, and Pearce drove in Gregg with a hard grounder through short. The win sent the Gamecocks into a matchup with the Yellow Jackets on Saturday, and USC found out why the Ramblin’ Wreck earned the No. 2 overall seed in the tournament. Georgia Tech put up four runs in the top of the first, piling on 17 hits for the game in a 10-2 win that sent USC into the losers bracket. The Gamecocks clawed their way back, waiting out a three-and a-half-hour rain delay to eliminate Michigan 4-3 on Sunday and setting up a rematch with the Yellow Jackets later in the evening. USC forced Mondays deciding game with an 8-3 win against Tech on Sunday that included four home runs by the Gamecocks and a solid pitching performance by junior Andy Lambert. juamucii, who nau inauc omy two starts all season, got the win by allowing only five hits and three runs in five and two-thirds innings. Senior pitcher Jason Fletcher made an appearance in relief and gave up no runs and three hits in the final three and one-third innings to wrap up what Tanner called “a long day at the ball yard.” Two of USC’s four home runs were launched by Pearce. Giesler had a three-run blast, and Campbell added a solo shot of his own. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksports@gwm.sc.edu | Loyal fan deserved better Just like every Gamecock team before it, this year’s baseball squad gave fans a glimmer of hope one day and a history lesson the next. Senior Brendan Winn’s strikeout in the bottom of the ninth finished off any chance USC had of making a return “P t0 ** ALEX RILEY College World ,, , . ° becond-y ear print Series. journalism This time student around, the fan in me didnt get mad. 1 didnt slam my fist and curse the day I proclaimed my undying loyalty to a bunch of chickens. Instead, I was reminded that this could be the last season for one of Carolina’s most loyal followers. Frank Riley, my great-uncle and neighbor back home, has been battling lung cancer for some time now. Chemotherapy has taken its toll on his body, causing him to lose the majority of his strength. Even with his lack of mobility, there is still one thing the man my family calls “Unc” still manages to do — cheer on the Carolina baseball team. When the season started, Unc was nestled in his seat along the first-base side of the field, intently watching the Gamecocks’ attempt at a fourth trip to Omaha. Every weekend, a different member of his family sat with him in the stands, making sure Unc didn’t miss a minute of the action. I had the duty toward the beginning of the season of covering the baseball action for The Gamecock. Every weekend I made it over to the Sarge, I made sure to stop in and see Unc before the first pitch. His voice practically gone, Unc and I would trade thoughts on the game and anything related to Carolina athletics. Though he couldn’t yell at the umpires or stand to wave on a runner after a home run, Unc lent his silent support to the home team. On my way_ down to the field for post-game interviews, I made sure to see Unc before I left. Every win put a wide grin on his face, and every loss brought a simple shoulder shrug. When Carolina’s second battle with Michigan hit an extended rain delay, he sat in his recliner waiting for the action to resume. On Monday, Unc was checked back in to the hospital, but I fail to believe that a radio wasn’t by his side. II there was one person who deserved to see USC win the College World Series it was Unc. I prayed the magic from the last three seasons would return to the Gamecock dugout and propel them through to Omaha. While they gave it a good run in Atlanta, it wasn’t good enough to push through to the Super Regionals or give Unc the championship he deserves. One of these days, USC’s going to win that elusive national tide. And when they do, Unc, I’ll be thinking of you. LSAT Strategy Workshop: At this free workshop, you'll try out some of the toughest LSAT questions and learn winning strategies from a Kaplan LSAT expert to help you succeed on Test Day. June 13th, 6:30 at Columbia, SC Kaplan Center Law School Admissions Seminar: Gain advice on how to successfully navigate the admissions process and team how to craft an application that gets noticed! June 21st, 6:30 at Columbia, SC Kaplan Center Personal Statement Workshop: At this free event team how to write a winning personal statement that gets the attention of admissions officers June 30th, 6:30 at Columbia, SC Kaplan Center Enroll 1-800-KAP-TEST today! kaptest.com/law Test Prep and Admission* ■ism a • ra|»ara« twmwh of <a la. Sduol Admanon Ccwict. IV RIC FELD/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS USC first baseman Steve Pearce slides in ahead of the tag by Georgia Tech second basemen Jake Hall. ■ BASEBALL Continued from page 9 professional options and said that his situation would have to be “perfect” for him not to return to Columbia next spring. Rawl, a Lexington native, leaves Carolina with 35 career wins and said he’s not quite sure what he’ll do next. He mentioned pro ball as an option but said he’ll wait and see. Senior right fielder Brendan Winn ended his career and USC’s season with a strikeout, something he has become infamous for in the past two seasons. However, Winn’s back-to-back double-digit home run seasons will not be easily replaced. A number of other players played their last game as Gamecocks on Monday, including pitchers Cliff Donald, Jason Fletcher and Zac McCamie. The Gamecocks will watch the rest of the post-season unfold on television from the comfort of their homes and look to February when they can look to start their fourth run to Omaha in five seasons. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockneTVS@gwm.sc. edu