B
Brian Shoemaker
Guest
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Gamecock Nation Today
Monday, March 18, 2019
Good morning and Happy Monday!
$1 million: Enter the Yahoo! Best Bracket Millionaire contest to win $1 million
Customize: You get to choose which breaking news alerts and newsletters to receive from Gamecock Central.
– Brian Shoemaker (email)
R.J. Roderick/Credit: Chris Gillespie
1. Spring practice is back: Three new goals
After a week off for spring break, South Carolina returns to the practice fields this week with four practices. The Gamecocks will hit the team meeting rooms on Monday before starting practice again on Tuesday.
Sort out the rest of the offensive line
T.J. Hopkins/Credit: Chris Gillespie
2. Baseball swept ⚾
Baseball: Swept by Georgia to open SEC play
• Game 1: UGA pitching cools down USC's bats in SEC opener (link)
• Game 2: Errors cost Gamecocks as they drop series (link)
• Game 3: Gamecocks blow late lead, get swept by Georgia (link)
Up next: South Carolina hits the road for a midweek game Tuesday against Furman at Fluor Field in Greenville. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
SEC series results
• Kentucky at LSU: LSU won series 3-0
• Georgia at South Carolina: Georgia 3-0
• Tennessee at Auburn: Auburn 3-0
• Missouri at Arkansas: Arkansas 3-0
• Miss. State at Florida: Miss. State 2-1
• Alabama at Ole Miss: Ole Miss 2-1
• Vanderbilt at Texas A&M: Texas A&M 2-1
Upcoming SEC series
• Florida at Vanderbilt (begins Thursday)
• LSU at Georgia
• Texas A&M at Kentucky
• Arkansas at Alabama
• Auburn at Miss. State
• South Carolina at Tennessee
• Ole Miss at Missouri
Baseball Links: SEC Standings | Schedule | Statistics | Polls
Ernest Jones/Credit: Chris Gillespie
3. New and notes
Football: Fully healthy, Ernest Jones hopes to take next step in second season – Since arriving on South Carolina's campus last January, linebacker Ernest Jones has been praised by his coaches and teammates for his intelligence, a key quality as the sophomore tries to learn the intricacies of the MIKE linebacker position. (link)
Men's Basketball: Gamecocks learn NIT fate– South Carolina, despite finishing fourth in the SEC, was left out of the NCAA Tournament and did not receive a bid to the NIT this season. (link)
Men's Basketball: Meet the two women in charge of nutrition– When the final whistle gets blown to signal the end of practice, it’s Sarah Weber's and Alexa Appelman’s time to shine. The two, who are the men’s basketball team’s first full-time dietitians and nutritionists, are in charge of ... (link)
Football Recruiting: USC a standout for Rico Powers– Savannah, Ga., wide receiver Rico Powers made his way to Columbia earlier this year for a visit that seemed to put South Carolina squarely in contention for his services. Where do things stand in his recruitment right now? (subscription)
Softball: USC loses two of three to Arkansas
Men's Golf: Gamecocks tied for lead at Valspar– South Carolina shot a 6-under, 278 and is tied for the lead with Florida State and Wake Forest after 18 holes of the Valspar Collegiate Invitational. The Gamecocks senior trio of Ryan Stachler (T-6th), Will Miles (T-10th) and Scott Stevens (T-17th) are all in the top-20 after under par rounds on Sunday afternoon at Floridian National Golf Club. (link)
Women's Tennis
Friday: Gamecocks down Tennessee (link)
Sunday: Carolina drops a heartbreaker to Georgia (link)
Men's Tennis
Friday: Gamecocks fall at Tennessee (link)
Sunday: Gamecocks drop road match at Georgia (link)
Swimming & Diving: National Invitational Championship
Day One: Gamecocks tally five A-Finalists at National Invitational Championship (link)
Day Two: Gamecocks add another four A-Finalists on Day Two of NIC (link)
Day Three: Otten Wins 200 Backstroke to highlight final day of NIC (link)
Beach Volleyball: Gamecock Grand Slam
Saturday: Gamecock grind out two wins in home opener (link)
Sunday: Gamecocks split Sunday doubleheader (link)
Track & Field: Black and Gold Challenge
Friday: Gamecocks win twice to open Black and Gold Challenge (link)
Saturday: Gamecocks tally nine wins to close Black and Gold Challenge (link)
ICYMI: Two questions for Roth, Jeffcoat and Brown
In this feature, Gamecock baseball lettermen Michael Roth, Byron Jeffcoat and Jay Brown each answer two questions -- one about this year's team and another about their careers. (link)
– Jackson Fields (email)
Dawn Staley/Credit: Chris Gillespie
4. Plan your schedule accordingly ⛳
Monday, March 18
• All day – Men's Golf at Valspar Collegiate Invitational (Palm City, Fla.)
• 7 pm – Women's Basketball: NCAA Tournament Selection Show, ESPN
Tuesday, March 19
• All day – Men's Golf at Valspar Collegiate Invitational (Palm City, Fla.)
• Morning – Football spring practice. Runnings back coach Thomas Brown speaks with the media after practice.
• 6 pm – Beach Volleyball hosts Morehead State
• 6 pm – Baseball at Furman, video
Wednesday, March 20
• All day – Swimming & Diving at Women's NCAA Championships (Austin)
• Morning – Football spring practice. Offensive coordinator Bryan McClendon speaks with the media after practice.
• 6 pm – Softball hosts Duke
– Jackson Fields (email)
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5. This Date in Gamecock History
March 18, 2007 – South Carolina improved to 17-3 on the year after taking the SEC season-opening series from LSU thanks to a 9-5 win. Catcher Trent Kline led the way, hitting .615 for the weekend and going 4 for 5 with two doubles and a home run in the rubber-match victory. Kline also drove in four runs, while 3B James Darnell added a pair of RBI. Starting pitcher Blake Cooper pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up just two hits and a walk before giving way to the bullpen. USC relievers gave up five runs, three earned before Wynn Pelzer shut the door on LSU for good in the ninth.
– John Parker (gamecockarchives.com)
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6. Key Dates (Countdown) ⌚
• March 21 – Football: Pro Timing Day (3 days)
• March 22 – Muschamp Coaches Clinic (4)
• April 6 – Football: Spring game (19)
• April 25 – NFL Draft begins (38)
• May 8 – SEC Softball Tourney (51)
• May 21 – SEC Baseball Tourney (64)
• July 15 – SEC Media Days begins (119)
• July 20 – Muschamp Ladies Football Clinic (124)
• Aug. 31 – Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (166)
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7. Birthdays and Celebrations!
Gamecock Central birthdays (Saturday-today)
• @carolinajeff# (Member since 2001)
• @AerospaceGamecock (2003)
• @wind1745 (2005)
• @USCfanforlife100 (2015)
• @cockynchicago# (2000)
• @GermanyGamecock (2014)
If you have a Gamecock Central account - free or subscription - you can add your birthday here.
Gamecock Nation birthdays
• Dave DeCamilla (football/offensive tackle, 1968-70) – DeCamilla started at linebacker and nose guard for the U.S. Military Academy’s plebe (freshman) team, then transferred to South Carolina and became a fixture at left tackle for the next three seasons. He started nine games in 1968 and seven in 1969. That season he was named all-ACC, all-state and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the top blocker in the state of South Carolina. He and his fellow offensive linemen cleared the way for USC to put up 287 yards of rushing in a win over Clemson, while also passing for 230 yards in that game. DeCamilla was a co-captain of the 1970 squad, which also featured his younger brother, Mark, as a running back, and again earned all-ACC honors. He was named to the USC All-Time Team in 1993 and lives in the Sacramento, Calif., area now where he is in investment management and also co-owns a 70-acre olive farm with his brother. DeCamilla was inducted into the Capital Region (N.Y.) Hall of Fame in 2010.
• Tom Injaychock (football/center, 1973-77)
• Darrell Shropshire (football/defensive tackle, 2003-04)
• Brandon Sturdivant (football/fullback, 2013-14)
• WT Williams (football/defensive tackle, 1975-79)
– John Parker (gamecockarchives.com)
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8. Around Gamecock Nation
• March 27 – Greenville, President's Reception (link)
• April 10 – Give 4 Garnet (link)
• April 23 – Augusta, Spurs Up Tour
• April 24 – Midlands, Spurs Up Tour
• April 29 – Lancaster, Spurs Up Tour
• April 30 – Greenville, Spurs Up Tour
• May 2 – York, Spurs Up Tour
• May 7 – Sumter, Spurs Up Tour
• May 8 – Myrtle Beach, Spurs Up Tour
• May 9 – Atlanta, Spurs Up Tour
• May 14 – Charleston, Spurs Up Tour
Note: Will Muschamp is scheduled to appear at all of the Spurs Up Tour events. More information, including specific locations and ticket prices, will be announced as it becomes available.
– Brian Shoemaker (email)
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9. Another Carolina Podcast
Gamecock Central insiders Chris Clark and Wes Mitchell with host Pearson Fowler (link)
Topics on this episode include:
Also: more episodes | GC Radio app: App Store - Google Play
Do you have something exciting you'd like to have mentioned in this newsletter? Go here and tell us about it -- or email us.
Celebrating 20 years! Established in 1998, Gamecock Central provides in-depth and insider coverage of Gamecock sports and recruiting, and is home to The Insiders Forum. Not a member of Gamecock Central? Subscribe here. Read what our members think about Gamecock Central.
DID YOU KNOW? You can receive this report (Gamecock Nation Today) early each morning in your email inbox. Sign up here.
------------------------
Gamecock Nation Today
Monday, March 18, 2019
Good morning and Happy Monday!
$1 million: Enter the Yahoo! Best Bracket Millionaire contest to win $1 million
- Someone will win $1 million; you do not need a perfect bracket, just the best bracket
- Also, we have a Gamecock Central group and the top scorer in the group will win a $250 gift card to Garnet & Black Traditions
- It's free to enter: https://gcentr.al/YahooBestBracket
Customize: You get to choose which breaking news alerts and newsletters to receive from Gamecock Central.
– Brian Shoemaker (email)
R.J. Roderick/Credit: Chris Gillespie
1. Spring practice is back: Three new goals
After a week off for spring break, South Carolina returns to the practice fields this week with four practices. The Gamecocks will hit the team meeting rooms on Monday before starting practice again on Tuesday.
Sort out the rest of the offensive line
- Left tackle was a question mark heading into the spring, but we've already learned that Sadarius Hutcherson is the very likely starter at that position. That means Dylan Wonnum is likely your right tackle and Donell Stanley the left guard. The next step is to sort out the other two spots.
- There are open position battles still ongoing at center and right guard. The Gamecocks will get Hank Manos back from injury at center this week where he's battling Chandler Farrell. Eric Douglas and Jordan Rhodes continue a battle at right guard.
- A wildcard in the mix? Redshirt freshman Jovaughn Gwyn, who was a second-teamer last year before a foot injury ended his season. The staff hopes to get him back this week and he could quickly factor in at guard.
- South Carolina has a quality nickelback in sophomore Jaycee Horn, but defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson has made it clear he hopes to play Horn at cornerback this season - that's if someone else can step up and handle the nickelback position that he played so well last season.
- Safety R.J. Roderick is working some at nickelback and Jamyest Williams, who is still limited this spring as he recovers from shoulder surgery, is also in the conversation there. Whether Roderick can play nickel may depend on if other players step up at safety.
- Two freshmen who are yet to arrive on campus – Jammie Robinson and Shilo Sanders – are both expected to compete for the position once they enroll this summer.
- One of South Carolina's biggest goals this spring is to improve its rushing attack and that's been a focus through the first five workouts -- but it will remain a focus for the final 10 sessions of the spring.
- Freshman running back Kevin Harris, an early enrollee from Hinesville, Ga., has caught the attention of his teammates so far for his work ethic, strength and tackle-breaking ability. He's one to keep an eye on for the rest of the spring.
- Holding blocks has been a major point of emphasis for South Carolina's offensive linemen this spring, according to offensive line coach Eric Wolford. In other words, not just blocking a defender, but keeping that defender engaged for a longer period of time.
- "A lot of times we get on blocks and against good people get off blocks," Wolford said. "We want to work on maintaining them and finishing blocks. That’s what we’ve been stressing."
- Check out South Carolina's new running backs coach Thomas Brown in action in this mic'd up feature that the Gamecocks' media team put out last week.
T.J. Hopkins/Credit: Chris Gillespie
2. Baseball swept ⚾
Baseball: Swept by Georgia to open SEC play
• Game 1: UGA pitching cools down USC's bats in SEC opener (link)
• Game 2: Errors cost Gamecocks as they drop series (link)
• Game 3: Gamecocks blow late lead, get swept by Georgia (link)
Up next: South Carolina hits the road for a midweek game Tuesday against Furman at Fluor Field in Greenville. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
SEC series results
• Kentucky at LSU: LSU won series 3-0
• Georgia at South Carolina: Georgia 3-0
• Tennessee at Auburn: Auburn 3-0
• Missouri at Arkansas: Arkansas 3-0
• Miss. State at Florida: Miss. State 2-1
• Alabama at Ole Miss: Ole Miss 2-1
• Vanderbilt at Texas A&M: Texas A&M 2-1
Upcoming SEC series
• Florida at Vanderbilt (begins Thursday)
• LSU at Georgia
• Texas A&M at Kentucky
• Arkansas at Alabama
• Auburn at Miss. State
• South Carolina at Tennessee
• Ole Miss at Missouri
Baseball Links: SEC Standings | Schedule | Statistics | Polls
Ernest Jones/Credit: Chris Gillespie
3. New and notes
Football: Fully healthy, Ernest Jones hopes to take next step in second season – Since arriving on South Carolina's campus last January, linebacker Ernest Jones has been praised by his coaches and teammates for his intelligence, a key quality as the sophomore tries to learn the intricacies of the MIKE linebacker position. (link)
Men's Basketball: Gamecocks learn NIT fate– South Carolina, despite finishing fourth in the SEC, was left out of the NCAA Tournament and did not receive a bid to the NIT this season. (link)
Men's Basketball: Meet the two women in charge of nutrition– When the final whistle gets blown to signal the end of practice, it’s Sarah Weber's and Alexa Appelman’s time to shine. The two, who are the men’s basketball team’s first full-time dietitians and nutritionists, are in charge of ... (link)
Football Recruiting: USC a standout for Rico Powers– Savannah, Ga., wide receiver Rico Powers made his way to Columbia earlier this year for a visit that seemed to put South Carolina squarely in contention for his services. Where do things stand in his recruitment right now? (subscription)
Softball: USC loses two of three to Arkansas
- Game 1 – South Carolina dropped the opening game of a three-game series against Arkansas, 3-2, on Friday. The Gamecocks looked poised for a comeback in the seventh as Alyssa Kumiyama lifted a solo home run to start the inning but it wasn't enough as the Razorbacks hung on for the victory. (link)
- Game 2 – Arkansas scored seven runs in the sixth to earn a 7-4 victory on Saturday. The Gamecocks led 4-0 heading to the sixth but it wasn't enough as Arkansas completed the comeback win. (link)
- Game 3 – South Carolina earned its first SEC win of the 2019 season with a 9-6 victory over Arkansas on Sunday. The Gamecocks scored a combined six runs the first two innings and never looked back on their way to the win. (link)
Men's Golf: Gamecocks tied for lead at Valspar– South Carolina shot a 6-under, 278 and is tied for the lead with Florida State and Wake Forest after 18 holes of the Valspar Collegiate Invitational. The Gamecocks senior trio of Ryan Stachler (T-6th), Will Miles (T-10th) and Scott Stevens (T-17th) are all in the top-20 after under par rounds on Sunday afternoon at Floridian National Golf Club. (link)
Women's Tennis
Friday: Gamecocks down Tennessee (link)
Sunday: Carolina drops a heartbreaker to Georgia (link)
Men's Tennis
Friday: Gamecocks fall at Tennessee (link)
Sunday: Gamecocks drop road match at Georgia (link)
Swimming & Diving: National Invitational Championship
Day One: Gamecocks tally five A-Finalists at National Invitational Championship (link)
Day Two: Gamecocks add another four A-Finalists on Day Two of NIC (link)
Day Three: Otten Wins 200 Backstroke to highlight final day of NIC (link)
Beach Volleyball: Gamecock Grand Slam
Saturday: Gamecock grind out two wins in home opener (link)
Sunday: Gamecocks split Sunday doubleheader (link)
Track & Field: Black and Gold Challenge
Friday: Gamecocks win twice to open Black and Gold Challenge (link)
Saturday: Gamecocks tally nine wins to close Black and Gold Challenge (link)
ICYMI: Two questions for Roth, Jeffcoat and Brown
In this feature, Gamecock baseball lettermen Michael Roth, Byron Jeffcoat and Jay Brown each answer two questions -- one about this year's team and another about their careers. (link)
– Jackson Fields (email)
Dawn Staley/Credit: Chris Gillespie
4. Plan your schedule accordingly ⛳
Monday, March 18
• All day – Men's Golf at Valspar Collegiate Invitational (Palm City, Fla.)
• 7 pm – Women's Basketball: NCAA Tournament Selection Show, ESPN
Tuesday, March 19
• All day – Men's Golf at Valspar Collegiate Invitational (Palm City, Fla.)
• Morning – Football spring practice. Runnings back coach Thomas Brown speaks with the media after practice.
• 6 pm – Beach Volleyball hosts Morehead State
• 6 pm – Baseball at Furman, video
Wednesday, March 20
• All day – Swimming & Diving at Women's NCAA Championships (Austin)
• Morning – Football spring practice. Offensive coordinator Bryan McClendon speaks with the media after practice.
• 6 pm – Softball hosts Duke
– Jackson Fields (email)
--------------------------------
5. This Date in Gamecock History
March 18, 2007 – South Carolina improved to 17-3 on the year after taking the SEC season-opening series from LSU thanks to a 9-5 win. Catcher Trent Kline led the way, hitting .615 for the weekend and going 4 for 5 with two doubles and a home run in the rubber-match victory. Kline also drove in four runs, while 3B James Darnell added a pair of RBI. Starting pitcher Blake Cooper pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up just two hits and a walk before giving way to the bullpen. USC relievers gave up five runs, three earned before Wynn Pelzer shut the door on LSU for good in the ninth.
– John Parker (gamecockarchives.com)
----------------------------------------------------
6. Key Dates (Countdown) ⌚
• March 21 – Football: Pro Timing Day (3 days)
• March 22 – Muschamp Coaches Clinic (4)
• April 6 – Football: Spring game (19)
• April 25 – NFL Draft begins (38)
• May 8 – SEC Softball Tourney (51)
• May 21 – SEC Baseball Tourney (64)
• July 15 – SEC Media Days begins (119)
• July 20 – Muschamp Ladies Football Clinic (124)
• Aug. 31 – Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (166)
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7. Birthdays and Celebrations!
Gamecock Central birthdays (Saturday-today)
• @carolinajeff# (Member since 2001)
• @AerospaceGamecock (2003)
• @wind1745 (2005)
• @USCfanforlife100 (2015)
• @cockynchicago# (2000)
• @GermanyGamecock (2014)
If you have a Gamecock Central account - free or subscription - you can add your birthday here.
Gamecock Nation birthdays
• Dave DeCamilla (football/offensive tackle, 1968-70) – DeCamilla started at linebacker and nose guard for the U.S. Military Academy’s plebe (freshman) team, then transferred to South Carolina and became a fixture at left tackle for the next three seasons. He started nine games in 1968 and seven in 1969. That season he was named all-ACC, all-state and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the top blocker in the state of South Carolina. He and his fellow offensive linemen cleared the way for USC to put up 287 yards of rushing in a win over Clemson, while also passing for 230 yards in that game. DeCamilla was a co-captain of the 1970 squad, which also featured his younger brother, Mark, as a running back, and again earned all-ACC honors. He was named to the USC All-Time Team in 1993 and lives in the Sacramento, Calif., area now where he is in investment management and also co-owns a 70-acre olive farm with his brother. DeCamilla was inducted into the Capital Region (N.Y.) Hall of Fame in 2010.
• Tom Injaychock (football/center, 1973-77)
• Darrell Shropshire (football/defensive tackle, 2003-04)
• Brandon Sturdivant (football/fullback, 2013-14)
• WT Williams (football/defensive tackle, 1975-79)
– John Parker (gamecockarchives.com)
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8. Around Gamecock Nation
• March 27 – Greenville, President's Reception (link)
• April 10 – Give 4 Garnet (link)
• April 23 – Augusta, Spurs Up Tour
• April 24 – Midlands, Spurs Up Tour
• April 29 – Lancaster, Spurs Up Tour
• April 30 – Greenville, Spurs Up Tour
• May 2 – York, Spurs Up Tour
• May 7 – Sumter, Spurs Up Tour
• May 8 – Myrtle Beach, Spurs Up Tour
• May 9 – Atlanta, Spurs Up Tour
• May 14 – Charleston, Spurs Up Tour
Note: Will Muschamp is scheduled to appear at all of the Spurs Up Tour events. More information, including specific locations and ticket prices, will be announced as it becomes available.
– Brian Shoemaker (email)
-------------------------------------
9. Another Carolina Podcast
Gamecock Central insiders Chris Clark and Wes Mitchell with host Pearson Fowler (link)
Topics on this episode include:
- Football spring practice goals as the Gamecocks return to practice next week following spring break.
- What does the men's basketball team need to do to get into the NCAA tournament? Is two wins enough?
- Baseball opens conference play with a key home matchup with Georgia. Thoughts on the team so far.
Also: more episodes | GC Radio app: App Store - Google Play
Do you have something exciting you'd like to have mentioned in this newsletter? Go here and tell us about it -- or email us.
Celebrating 20 years! Established in 1998, Gamecock Central provides in-depth and insider coverage of Gamecock sports and recruiting, and is home to The Insiders Forum. Not a member of Gamecock Central? Subscribe here. Read what our members think about Gamecock Central.
