May 23, 2012

Citadel quarterback arrested

Miguel Starks

Miguel Starks

Citadel quarterback Miguel Starks has been charged by Charleston police  in connection with an armed robbery. Starks and former Bulldog linebacker Reginald Rice have been charged with armed robbery, first-degree burglary, kidnapping and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.

Two College of Charleston students were also arrested by the police but neither one is an athlete.

Citadel coach Kevin Higgins released the following statement:

“Like the rest of The Citadel community we are shocked, angry and saddened by the alleged events involving Miguel Starks,” Higgins said. “Senseless does not begin to describe the situation. Miguel is an only child, loved and provided well for by his parents Michael and Sharon. He has many talents and football is just one of them.

“We will continue to cooperate with the investigation in any way that we are asked.”

Clemson women hoops ACC tournament breakdown

Yes, I’ve done it again. I’m passing along a women’s basketball story. Why? Well, we are in the business of disseminating information here and secondly, as I have said before, these young ladies work just as hard as the men and deserve some props from time to time.

Also, now, in the rare change someone ask you, “hey, who are the Clemson women playing in the ACC tournament?” you will know the answer. Knowledge is power my friend.

So, without further adieu and courtesy of my friends in the Clemson sports information department:

The Clemson women’s basketball team will square off with NC State in the first round of the ACC Tournament on Thursday at 8:00 pm at the Greensboro Coliseum. The Atlantic Coast Conference made the announcement after the conclusion of Sunday games.

The Tigers finished the regular season 13-17, and 4-10 in the ACC, earning the 11th seed. NC State is 17-12 and 7-7 in the league on the season, and is the sixth seed in the tournament. The winner will go on to play Virginia on Friday.

Clemson completes sweep against Wright State

Jeff Schaus went 3-for-3 with a homer and a career-high five RBIs and Kyle Parker added two solo home runs to lead #15 Clemson to a 12-6 victory over Wright State in front of 4,027 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers, who swept the series 3-0, improved to 6-0, their best start since their 13-0 start in 2002. The Raiders fell to 2-5.

Mike Freeman matched Schaus’ hit total by going 3-for-5 with three runs and an RBI, while Brad Miller and Jason Stolz both added two hits, a double, and two runs in Clemson’s 12-hit attack.

Sophomore lefthander Will Lamb (1-0) earned his first career win by tossing 4.0 innings, allowing four hits, one run, and one walk with two strikeouts. He was the first of seven Tigers to pitch in the game. Raider starter Max Friedman (0-1) suffered the loss, as he yielded five runs (three earned) on five hits in 2.0 innings pitched.

The Tigers wasted little time taking the game’s first lead in the first inning. Freeman hit a one-out single to left-center and advanced to second when centerfielder Ryan Ashe booted the ball. Schaus followed with a single through the right side to score Freeman. After John Hinson reached on a fielding error by third-baseman Quentin Cate and Richie Shaffer loaded the bases with a hit-by-pitch, John Nester walked to bring home Schaus, giving Clemson a 2-0 lead.

The Raiders responded with a run in the top of the second inning. Cate led off with a single to left field. Two batters later, Garrett Gray singled to left-center, then Jake Hibberd belted a double to center to score Cate. But Gerald Ogrinc hit into a fielder’s choice to third base as Gray was retired at the plate for out #2 and Justin Kopale struck out looking to end the threat.

In the bottom of the second inning, Stolz led off with an infield single and scored on Miller’s double to left-center. After Miller moved to third on Freeman’s groundout, Schaus hit a sacrifice fly on a 3-0 count to score Miller. Parker then blasted a solo homer to left-center.

Freeman led off the fourth inning with a single up the middle and Schaus followed with a two-run homer to right field, his first long ball of the season. Parker then hit a solo homer to left-center, his second home run of the game and third of the season.

In the top of the fifth inning, Kopale led off with a single to right field. Two batters later, Aaron Fields laced a double to left-center to advance Kopale to third. After Tristan Moore was hit-by-pitch, Cate walked to score Kopale. Casey McGrew followed with a sacrifice fly to left to score Fields. After Gray walked to load the bases, Hibberd was hit-by-pitch to plate Moore. But Dominic Leone struck out Ogrinc looking to end the inning and keep the Tigers ahead 8-4.

Clemson answered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Addison Johnson led off with a walk, stole second, and scored on Stolz’s double to right-center. Two batters later, Freeman lofted a single to right-center to plate Stolz and stole second on a failed pickoff attempt. Schaus followed with a single through the right side to score Freeman.

The Tigers added an insurance run in the seventh inning. Miller hit a one-out, bunt single. Then with two outs, Wilson Boyd, Chris Epps, and Hinson all drew walks, with the last plating Miller.

In the eighth inning, Hibberd led off with a double to right-center. Two batters later, pinch-hitter Kody Krizman singled up the middle to score Hibberd.

In the ninth inning, McGrew reached on a one-out, infield single and moved to second on a passed ball. Two batters later, Hibberd lined a two-out single to center to score McGrew.

Wright State, who outhit Clemson 13-12, was led at the plate by Hibberd, who went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs.

Clemson will host Dayton at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Wednesday at 4:00 PM.

USC baseball drops series at ECU

East Carolina jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and held off a late South Carolina rally to defeat the Gamecocks 4-2 and win the rubber game of a three-game series at Clark-LeClair Stadium. South Carolina drops to 4-2 on the year while the win improves East Carolina to 4-3 for the season. South Carolina returns to action on Tuesday night hosting Presbyterian with first pitch at Carolina Stadium set for 7 p.m.

East Carolina rode the momentum of a three-run first inning and added a an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth that was enough to back starting pitcher Brad Mincey, who worked seven innings and allowed one run, unearned, on three hits with five strikeouts and three walks to pick up the victory. The game was not without drama though as the Gamecocks scratched back to score a pair of runs in the seventh and eighth innings only to see the rally fall short. Seth Simmons came on in relief for ECU and pitched 1.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts to pick up his first save of the year. Gamecock starter Steven Neff went 3.2 innings and allowed four runs, three earned, on seven hits with three strikeouts and a walk to suffer the loss. He is 1-1 on the year.

Another down note for USC:  outfielder Adam Mattews left the game in the first inning after spraining his ankle running out a ground ball in the first inning.

USC drops to 4-2 on the season heading into Tuesday’s home game against P.C.

USC drops 5th straight, loses to MSU 76-63

Bulldogs cruise past Gamecocks

Bulldogs cruise past Gamecocks

Darrin Horn may not want to admit it, but his USC basketball team is running on fumes. It was evident the Gamecocks are running out of gas in Saturday night’s 76-63 loss to Mississippi State at the Colonial Life Arena. That’s five straight losses and just like that Carolina is tied for last place in the SEC East with Georgia. The Bulldogs have the tiebreaker so technically the Gamecocks are holding down the basement in the Eastern division.

Darrin Horn postgame audio

Horn post MSU

Further evidence the Gamecocks are worn down is the play of senior point guard Devon Downey. He was held to just 12 points against the Bulldogs. That is his second lowest output of the year and his lowest in league play. He only made 5 of his 14 shots and was 0-7 from three point land. Horn will never admit it, and neither will Downey, but we all know what happens to your jump shot when you get mentally and physically fatigued. You can see it in Downey’s face and hear it in his voice. He knows his final season of college basketball is coming to a disappointing end and its taking a toll.

Devon Downey postgame audio

Downey post MSU

On the bright side, freshman Lakeem Jackson continues to show signs of improvement. He scored 10 points, led the team with seven rebounds, had two assist and two steals. His progress is very encouraging for Horn and the Gamecocks. Also, fellow freshman Ramon Galloway led the Gamecocks in scoring with 14 points. He made 6-15 from the floor and although he was just two of 11 from 3, his confidence and play is clearly on the rise.

Ramon Galloway postgame audio

Galloway post MSU

The loss drops the Gamecocks to 14-14 and 5-9 in the conference. They will play their final home game Wednesday night against Alabama. They close out the season on the road at Vanderbilt and then it is on to the SEC Tournament in Nashville.

USC better find a win  a game or two in that stretch or they could end up finishing last in the SEC East and missing out on even an NIT bid. Even with the losses of Dominique Archie and Mike Holmes that would be a tough pill for a lot of Gamecock fans to swallow.