Last weekend of April

The stretch drive began this past weekend for the post season.

Clemson and Georgia Tech was the best matchup of the week featuring a South Carolina school. The series did not disappoint. Going into the series, the teams had met 202 times, with Clemson holding a 100-99-3 advantage, so on paper it should be a good series. And it turned out to be good. Brad Miller continued his torrid pace at the plate, going 10-17 for the week, and 5-10 in the Ga. Tech series. Clemson took games 1 and 3 of the series to win for the weekend. At this point, it looks like as hot as Brad Miller's bat stays will be as far as they go.

South Carolina kept pace in the brutal SEC eastern conference by sweeping an Auburn team that was the West leaders coming into the weekend. South Carolina won in dramatic fashion Friday night with a walk off single, and then coasted to fairly easy victories Saturday and Sunday. Sunday came with some bad news as DeSean Anderson, the freshman playing for the injured Jackie Bradley, Jr strained his hamstring in the second inning attempting to beat out a double play.

Coastal Carolina kept its lead in the Big South Conference by sweeping VMI. The Chanticleers where led by pitcher of the week, Anthony Meo, who had 10 K's in 7 innings pitched as Coastal won the game 8-2.

College of Charleston swept Wofford. College of Charleston has been playing better of recent, and proved it by winning the 2nd game of the series 24-6. Wofford's pitching woe's continue on the week.

Furman played Samford, and dropped 2 of 3, but the win in game 1 of the Sunday double header snapped an 8 game losing streak for the Paladins.

The Citadel swept Presbyterian. The Citadel used stellar defense and solid offense to win, turning 5 double plays in one game. Presbyterian continues their downward spiral.

Winthrop went 2-2 on the week, dropping a midweek game to Charlotte, and winning a non conference series against Mercer. Winthrop stopped a late rally by Mercer to win 7-6 in the finale Sunday.

Now for the 3 up and 3 down for the week...

3 Up...

1. Clemson, with the series win over Georgia Tech, their ship is heading the right direction. Now if they can only stay the course.

2. Coastal Carolina, while not as impressive as last year, they continue their winning ways in the Big South.

3. College of Charleston, winners of 7 in a row and 3 consecutive series sweeps. They are making a strong push for the regular season title of the SoCon, now 2.5 games behind Elon.

3 Down...

3. South Carolina's Outfield, health wise that is. While the team is winning, the depth in the outfield is getting thinner and thinner. Jackie Bradley, Jr had wrist surgery this past week and is probably done for the season. Adam Matthews with a pulled hamstring is out for the season, but may return in the post season. Evan Marzilli while playing this past weekend, has some lingering health issues also. To add to the issues, DeSean Anderson strained his hamstring. At the moment, the outfield consists of a backup catcher, a pitcher, and a transfer. But they continue winning.

2. Wofford's pitching. Their woes continued this past weekend, giving up 39 runs on the weekend, 24 in one game.

1. Presbyterian, losers of 15 in a row. Things do not look good for the Blue Hose.

Not many interesting matchups for the week, so by default, the series to watch this weekend will be South Carolina at Ole Miss. South Carolina will try to keep pace with Vanderbilt who plays Kentucky, and Florida who takes on Arkansas in Fayetteville.