Sports

Great Gamecock Weekend

SOUTH CAROLINA SWEEPS CLEMSON, EARNS BIG HOOPS WIN University of South Carolina fans must be living right … Not only did the school’s third-ranked baseball team break out the brooms with a three-game sweep over arch-rival Clemson in the “Reedy River Rivalry,” but the Gamecocks’ struggling basketball squad posted its…

SOUTH CAROLINA SWEEPS CLEMSON, EARNS BIG HOOPS WIN

University of South Carolina fans must be living right …

Not only did the school’s third-ranked baseball team break out the brooms with a three-game sweep over arch-rival Clemson in the “Reedy River Rivalry,” but the Gamecocks’ struggling basketball squad posted its first win over a ranked team in three seasons – upsetting No. 17 Kentucky in Columbia.

On the diamond and hardwood there was no shortage of drama …

Leading the Clemson series 2-0, South Carolina’s baseball team appeared out of gas in the final game on Sunday – trailing the eleventh-ranked Tigers 3-1 in the top of the ninth inning (with two outs in the top of the ninth inning, no less).

But coach Chad Holbrook’s team proceeded to rip off four consecutive two-out hits – plating four runs in the process. After junior right-hander Cody Mincey retired all three Tigers in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Gamecocks had an improbable sweep – extending their baseball dominion over Clemson and running their record on the season to 10-0.

Dating back to 2007, South Carolina has posted a 23-8 record against the Tigers.

Meanwhile Gamecock hoops hasn’t had much to cheer about for several years, but second-year head coach Frank Martin finally got his first signature win over the Wildcats on Saturday.

South Carolina (11-18, 4-12 SEC) raced out to a 48-32 lead early in the second half over Kentucky – but head coach John Calipari’s team stormed back and cut the lead to one point in the final half-minute of the game. Martin’s squad was able to escape with the upset win, though, thanks to a pair of clutch free throws by freshman Sindarius Thornwell – prompting Gamecock fans to storm the court for the first time since beating then-No. 1 Kentucky back in 2010.

Can lightning strike twice? We’ll find out Tuesday when the Gamecocks welcome top-ranked Florida to the Colonial Life Center …

Speaking of that showdown, the school will honor former quarterback Connor Shaw – who helped lead the Gamecocks to three consecutive 11-win seasons – at halftime of the Florida game. USC football coach Steve Spurrier will also be in attendance.

Shaw finished his Gamecock career with a 27-5 record as a starter – including a perfect record at home and in bowl games.

Pic: Travis Bell Photography

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18 comments

Smirks March 3, 2014 at 5:02 pm

Spanked in football, spanked in baseball. Poor kittens.

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Gamecock Hall Of Fame March 3, 2014 at 5:10 pm

The vitriol has reached unprecedented levels with this rivalry. Someone has to go first.
I say that we should try to be more respectful of one another and save the hate for the out of state rivals. As a Gamecock, I saw great competition from both sides and a lot of class by two special teams. A little heat of the moment stuff is not uncommon for young guys with competitive spirits. Hats off to two great teams and two great universities.

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Original Good Old Boy March 3, 2014 at 5:41 pm

Meh. I hope they lose every game they play.

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Norma Scok March 3, 2014 at 7:14 pm

That vitriol didn’t really start until USC started winning and the Cayce-ites starting wearing their camo flavored Cock shirts.

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White Bread March 4, 2014 at 11:46 am

You can’t have a rivalry if the other team doesn’t win. USC has now won 16 of 19 against the Jack Leggert midgets – he likes to recruit small guys. And you can’t have a rivalry if USC is now No. 1 and the Midgets are No. 30.

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Dabo Leggett Jr. March 3, 2014 at 5:58 pm

Just like like football. Clap* Clap* Clap* Clap* Just like football. Clap* Clap* Clap* Clap* Just like football.

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Awww, where did Squishy go? March 3, 2014 at 6:11 pm

Has anyone else noticed the cricket sounds from where all of the Tigers used to post on here lately? From the ones that at least still call themselves fans no matter what (those are true ones and you have to respect them for that) and the 3 other idiots that claim they aren’t but really are. They know who they are but they are absent too.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein March 3, 2014 at 7:47 pm

*chirp*

Y’all have beat us in football 5 years running.

Ever since we were one win away from the
CWS, y’all have owned us in baseball.

We beat y’all in basketball, but BFD.

WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT TBG TO SAY???

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TontoBubbaGoldstein March 3, 2014 at 7:49 pm

Oh yeah.

BigT/GrandTango is one of y’all….

So there’s that…..

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Norma Scok March 3, 2014 at 8:52 pm

And Columbia still sucks.

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Saluda Rapids March 3, 2014 at 9:25 pm

Dammit, TBG, that is the equalizer. Let’s shake and call it a night.

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Awww, where did Squishy go? March 4, 2014 at 8:17 am

yeah, the Big T/Tango does set us back. And for the record TBG you are one of the ones to respect.

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Original Good Old Boy March 4, 2014 at 1:29 pm

Just wait until there is a report about Clowney underperforming or doing something stupid. They will crawl out of their caves then.

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Norma Scok March 3, 2014 at 7:14 pm

Nope..not a homer website, not this one, no sir.

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haha March 4, 2014 at 10:11 am

nope, not a whining little crybaby. not at all.
If you don’t like the site, why come on it day after day after day after day…. blasting it, and Columbia, and USC, and rainbows, and unicorns, and everything you dislike?

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Norma Scok March 4, 2014 at 8:47 pm

Only to solidly irritate the living shit of you.

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haha March 5, 2014 at 3:11 pm

in now way does it irate me, it actually makes me laugh at you that you have nothing better to do. High 5 by the way.

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9" March 3, 2014 at 8:28 pm

Is ‘hands-on’ baseball coaching allowed? Luckily,no one got hurt.

Saturday @Fluor Field:http://sportstalksc.com/index.php/2014/03/01/the-chain-of-events-that-lead-to-tension-in-the-usc-clemson-game-video/

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