Since Coastal Carolina broke away from the USC system in 1993, the powers that be at USC have blocked the Gamecocks from scheduling the Chanticleers. But apparently, that barrier is about to be broken. Josh Hoke of the Myrtle Beach Sun News reports that thanks to the work of State Representative Liston Barfield of Aynor, contests in the three major sports between the two schools will soon become reality.
It has long been believed that USC board of trustee member Dr. Eddie Floyd, incensed over Coastal’s defection from the university system, has stood in the way of the Gamecocks scheduling the Chanticleers. Floyd is a major financial contributor to USC and certainly gets his way on a number of issues. But, Floyd apparently has been convinced to drop his opposition to the Gamecocks playing Coastal, and so the games will soon be scheduled.
It certainly would be entertaining to see Cliff Ellis bring his basketball team to Columbia to play the Gamecocks as he did with Clemson. A three game series between the baseball teams would feature two of the top programs in the country. And, while the football game would be just another money game for Coastal, it would be a lot of fun listening to David Bennett talk up the meeting between the two teams.
It certainly is time for this divide to be closed. I’m not one for politicians getting involved with athletics. But this time, Mr. Barfield has done well by his constituents in getting these two sides together.
Story from Clemson Sports Information:
Cristy McKinney has resigned as Clemson Women’s Basketball Head Coach. Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips made the announcement on Wednesday.
McKinney served the Clemson program for each of the last five years, including this past year when the team had a 13-18 record against the nation’s 15th most difficult schedule, Clemson faced four top 10 teams, and nine top 25 teams, the most in 10 years.
“I would like to thank Clemson University for the opportunity to coach at such a fine institution in such a great athletic department,” said McKinney. “I’d also like to thank all of the people who supported me during my time at Clemson.
“At this time, I believe a change is needed for me and Clemson University. I’d like to wish Clemson University and Lady Tiger Basketball all the best going forward.”
This was McKinney’s 18th season as a head coach in Division-I, and she has compiled a 275-231 record overall, including six 20-win seasons and two NCAA Tournament appearances at Rice. She averaged 20.4 wins a year her last eight years at Rice.
McKinney finished with a 58-93 record for her five seasons at Clemson, including upset victories in the first round of the ACC Tournament in 2008 and 2009. That was the first time in 10 years Clemson won games in back-to-back ACC Tournaments. She also coached Clemson to victory over rival South Carolina in each of the last two seasons.
McKinney had a positive impact on the careers of many Lady Tigers, including all-time great Lele Hardy, a senior on this year’s Clemson team. Hardy was a two-time All-ACC selection and two-time All-ACC Defensive Team selections during her four years. Hardy, who played all four years under McKinney, is ranked first in school history in steals, third in rebounding, and fifth in scoring. Hardy and Christy Brown were All-ACC Freshman Team selection in 2006-07.
McKinney is a 1979 graduate of NC State, where she played four seasons under Hall of Fame Coach Kay Yow. She scored 1,359 points and grabbed 600 rebounds, and still holds the freshman scoring record for the Wolfpack.
“I greatly appreciate Cristy McKinney’s hard work and dedication to Clemson University and this athletic department the last five years,” said Phillips. “She is an outstanding professional who always had her student-athletes well being at the forefront.
“We will begin our search for a new coach immediately.”
Story from USC Sports Information:
South Carolina pitchers Jimmy Revan, Matt Price and Parker Bangs combined to strike out 18 batters to tie a school single-game record and Whit Merrifield tallied a base hit to set a school record for consecutive games with a hit, now at 26, as the Gamecocks earned a 7-3 win over Valparaiso on Wednesday afternoon at Carolina Stadium. South Carolina is now 8-4 on the year while the loss drops Valpo to 3-11 for the season. The Gamecocks will be back in action this weekend beginning a three-game series vs. Brown with first pitch for the opener set for 7 p.m. on Friday.
The Carolina pitching staff was in command for most the afternoon on its way to the victory over the Crusaders. Price earned the win in relief of Revan with four scoreless innings and just one hit allowed while striking out eight and walking one. Bangs closed the game out striking out the side to preserve the win in his one inning of relief. Revan had seven strikeouts to two walks in four innings as the starter. The strikeout total of 18 is the seventh time in school history that the Gamecocks have reached the mark. The last time was on March 18, 2006 when six Gamecock pitchers totaled 18 in a win at Auburn. With the win, Price is now 2-0 on the year. Valparaiso starter Will Robinson suffered the loss and is 0-4 for the season. He allowed five runs, three earned, on five hits with five walks and a strikeout.
After allowing an unearned run in the first inning, South Carolina took its first lead of the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second. Brady Thomas tripled with two outs and scored on a passed ball by Valpo catcher Corey Thibault. Scott Wingo would then draw a walk and advance on a wild pitch and scored on Whit Merrifield’s RBI single to right field. The RBI base hit extended Merrifield’s hitting streak to 26 games and setting a school record for consecutive games with a hit. The previous consecutive hits record of 25 was set by Greg Keatley, who holds the single-season record from 1976. Merrifield has hit safely in all 12 games this year as well.
Valpo would regain the lead in the fourth inning on a two-run homer by Justin Frane. For Frane it was his first home run of the season. However, South Carolina answered with a two-spot of its own as a throwing error by third baseman Kyle Muhlsteff allowed a pair of runners to score and put the Gamecocks back on top 4-3.
South Carolina would score single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to complete the scoring. Nick Ebert had a sacrifice fly in the fifth to score Evan Marzilli, second baseman Adrian Morales drove in Thomas in the sixth inning on a ground out and Robert Beary had a two-out RBI single in the seventh to score Marzilli for his second run of the game.
South Carolina ended up with nine hits to Valpo’s two hits on the afternoon. Thomas was 2-for-3 with a triple and three runs scored to lead the Gamecocks at the plate. Wingo reached base three times with a hit as well as two walks.
AUDIO: Ray Tanner
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AUDIO: Whit Merrifield
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Final Box
It’s the night before conference tournament play gets under way in both the ACC and SEC with USC going at 1:00 tomorrow and Clemson playing in the late game, scheduled for 9:30. A lot of baseball and basketball talk tonight right here on SportsTalk.
- Ray Tanner talked to the media this afternoon following USC’s win over Valpo 7-3. It was a record-breaking day with Whit Merrifield hitting in his 26th straight break the previous record. Three Gamecock hurlers combined for 18 Ks to tie another record.
USC Skipper Ray Tanner
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- Whit Merrifield hits in 26 straight breaking the record with his family in attendance. Merrifield says he is proud to be the record holder and reminds us the streak is still alive.
USC Outfielder Whit Merrifield
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- The USC basketball team practiced in Nashville today as they prepare for the SEC tournament. Following the practice, Darrin Horn and a few players met with the media to talk about March basketball and the opportunity tournament time provides.
USC Post-Practice Press Conference
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- Mike Morgan joined the show to talk about Braves baseball as he transitions to covering Atlanta baseball. Hear what he had to say.
Mike Morgan
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- Recruiting continues right here.
Wednesday night’s Recruiting Report
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- Dabo Swinney met with the media today as spring practice continues. Swinney opens up talking about Kyle Parker.
Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney
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USC scored 10 runs in the third inning in beating Valparaiso 12-4 Tuesday night at Carolina Stadium. The Gamecocks sent 13 batters to the plate in the inning. That big inning erased a 3-0 lead by the Crusaders. Nolan Belcher started for the Gamecocks but only lasted one and two thirds innings. Jose Mata came on in the second and worked the next six innings alllowing just one run and two hits. Ethan Carter finished up for the Gamecocks.
Whit Merrifield had two hits and two RBIs indlluding his second home rujns of the season. Adrian Morales had two hits and three RBIs. The Gamecocks improve to 7-4.
The teams will play the second game of the two game series Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 at Carolina Stadium. The gametime was changed from 7:00 PM due to the threat of rain.
AUDIO: Ray Tanner
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Final Box
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