Life in the minors: DeAngelo Mack diary
The State
Former USC player DeAngelo Mack writes a weekly diary for The State. Mack is in his first season in professional baseball with New York Yankees affiliate Charleston (Single-A).The long road trip has finally ended, and we’re back in Charleston for a home game series. It feels really good to be back in Charleston, especially since we won’t have any more 14-hour bus rides to New Jersey. In all, the trip wasn’t too bad because I feel like the team played pretty well and was focused each game. We split series with both Lakewood and Greensboro and hit the ball really well. It was n...
USC football: Fall camp story lines
The State
Steve Spurrier was in the press box at Omaha’s Rosenblatt Stadium in June when South Carolina’s baseball team won the College World Series.It was the second NCAA title in school history, following the women’s track championship in 2002.Ray Tanner’s club rode the wave of momentum back to Columbia, where fans turned out by the thousands for a welcoming celebration and victory parade. But now that the calendar has turned to August and football season is upon us, many fans are wondering:Could Spurrier’s team be next?
Injuries end cornerback Spearman's career
The State
South Carolina reserve cornerback Jay Spearman, who has been plagued by shoulder injuries since arriving at USC, has been granted a medical hardship from the NCAA, according to sources close to the program.Though his career is over, Spearman will be kept on scholarship but will not count against the Gamecocks' 85-scholarship limit. The redshirt sophomore from Greenwood played in three games last season on special teams.-- Joseph Person
Meyers agrees to Round 2 with Gamecocks
The State
South Carolinas search for a new pitching coach for its national championship baseball program has landed on an old name.Sources said Saturday that Old Dominion coach Jerry Meyers will return to take the job he held at USC from 1997 to 2004. Meyers will replace the man who replaced him Mark Calvi, who took the South Alabama head-coach-in-waiting job after the Gamecocks won the College World Series a month ago.Meyers, 45, compiled a 167-158 record at Old Dominsion, with two winning seasons and no NCAA tournament appearances in six seasons. Meyers pitching staffs helped USC make six NCAA app...
Vandy swaps coaches, not philosophy
The State
The reins at Vanderbilt were handed from one Palmetto State native to another, from a low-key Columbia native to a quip-a-minute son of Pageland.The expectations, however, remain the same: low. Very low.Vanderbilt begins its 121st season of football next month, seeking its fifth bowl appearance. Bobby Johnson, the Columbia native, had the longest tenure (eight years) of any Vanderbilt coach since the 1960s. He resigned abruptly two weeks ago, citing a desire to get on with his retirement.
Masoli accepts invite to visit Ole Miss
The State
Former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli has accepted an invitation from Mississippi coach Houston Nutt to visit the school this weekend, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Friday.Masoli made the decision early Friday morning to visit the Oxford campus. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Masoli has not yet enrolled in school.Masoli was considered a possible Heisman Trophy candidate after a breakout season at Oregon, but coach Chip Kelly kicked him off the team after two brushes with the law in six months.Nutt said earlier ...