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Brian Shoemaker
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Gamecock Nation Today
Monday, April 15, 2019
1. Spring review: Offensive tackles rundown
South Carolina put a bow on spring football last Saturday with the Garnet & Black Game inside Williams-Brice Stadium. In this series, GamecockCentral.com takes a look at where things stand at each position now that spring ball is over. Today focuses on the offensive tackles.
• While it appeared that left tackle may be a position that was going to feature a spring position battle, Sadarius Hutcherson locked down the first-team spot pretty early in camp and never looked back, solidifying the position for this season. Hutcherson came to South Carolina as a tackle, but was a starter at guard last season, before moving back to left tackle this spring.
• Sophomore Dylan Wonnum, a former four-star recruit, took over as the Gamecocks' starting right tackle midway through the 2018 season and returns as the starter there this season.
• Hutcherson played a team-high 896 snaps on offense last season. Wonnum played 506, giving the Gamecocks two experienced starters at tackle. But there's virtually no experienced depth behind them, making it one of the key positions on the roster that the Gamecocks can't afford injuries.
• Freshman early enrollee Jaylen Nichols caught the attention of head coach Will Muschamp and earned the praise of offensive line coach Eric Wolford this spring. He's big and athletic at 6-foot-5, 315-pounds. While Nichols, like most freshmen at the position, still has plenty to learn, he could be forced into action this season. He worked as the backup right tackle in the spring game.
• Redshirt sophomore Jordon Carty has yet to see action in his career, but offers massive potential. The 6-foot-7, 327-pounder was banged up at times this spring, but worked with the second team at left tackle in the spring game.
• Redshirt sophomore Eric Douglas could be a wild card at tackle. A sharp, versatile player, Douglas spent time this spring at center, guard and tackle, filling in at center during the spring game due to injuries to Hank Manos and Chandler Farrell. Douglas could serve the all-important role of swing man this year, providing depth at every spot on the o-line.
• Keep an eye on freshman offensive lineman Jakai Moore this fall. Moore isn't on campus yet, but has similar athleticism to Nichols and could factor into the offensive tackle conversation as the season progresses.
– Wes Mitchell
2. ⚾ Baseball drops series at Florida
• South Carolina dropped its three-game road series with Florida this weekend, losing Saturday’s rubber match by two runs after a three-run walk-off homer with two outs. They’re now 21-15 overall and 4-11 at the halfway point in SEC play.
• In just his second-career start, Cam Tringali powered the Gamecocks to a win Friday night in game two, giving up just one run and scattering four hits over six-plus innings. He’s still second on the team in ERA behind Brett Kerry’s 2.10.
• South Carolina averaged five runs over the weekend but put up offense in spurts. Of the 27 innings they played, they scored in nine of them. Offensively they hit .227/.324/.443 with half of their 22 hits going for extra bases (six doubles, five home runs).
• Of the 10 pitchers the Gamecocks threw, eight were in either their first or second year in the program, five in their first and three—including Wesley Sweatt, who gave up the home run Saturday—were true freshmen. As a staff, they had an ERA of 6.31, a 1.71 WHP and walked as many batters (13) as they struck out.
Game 1: Gamecocks drop series opener behind 'fluky' start from Morgan (link)
Game 2: Tringali spins gem as Gamecocks even series (link)
Game 3: Gamecocks drop heartbreaker in series finale to Florida (link)
Up Next: South Carolina travels to Charlotte to play North Carolina on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Baseball Links: News | SEC Standings | Schedule | Statistics | Polls
– Collyn Taylor
3. This, that, and the other
NFL: Clowney to miss offseason workouts - According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Jadeveon Clowney will not attend the offseason conditioning program and organized team activities. Clowney is an unsigned franchise player and Wilson writes that this is standard procedure for an unsigned franchise player.
Football: Ty'Son Williams announces transfer destination - It was previously reported that running back Ty'Son Williams was transferring. On Sunday, Williams announced that he's transferring to BYU.
Men's Basketball: Martin not interviewing at Cincinnati - It didn't take long for Frank Martin to shut down any rumors about him interviewing anywhere else anytime soon. (link)
Men's Basketball: Gamecock commits react to Martin turning down interview - The stretch spanning Thursday night into early Friday afternoon was hectic for not only Frank Martin, but for South Carolina’s 2019 recruiting class. (link)
Men's Basketball: Signees think South Carolina can 'shock a lot of people' - South Carolina’s newest crop of signees still have a little over a month before they’re on campus with their new teammates, but they know what they’re walking into this summer. (subscription)
Football: The South Carolina football spring practice 3-2-1 - This feature covers three positives we uncovered about the team, two concerns that still exist, and one question yet to be answered. (subscription)
Football Recruiting: Five-star running back talks USC visit - Five-star running back MarShawn Lloyd made his second trip to South Carolina last weekend. The Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha star breaks down his time with the Gamecocks. (subscription)
Football Recruiting: Top 2021 target Gavin Blackwell has multiple South Carolina ties - Monroe, N.C., class of 2021 wide receiver Gavin Blackwell already has 16 offers to his name, including one from South Carolina, where he was multiple ties. (subscription)
Football Recruiting: More from Rivals camp - Wes Mitchell recaps what he saw from Carolina targets last weekend. (subscription)
Women's Golf: Gamecocks win Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic - Just four days prior to the 2019 SEC Championships, the USC women's golf took the title at the 2019 Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic. (link)
Softball: Beat Auburn 2 out of 3 to win series
Game 1: USC tied the game in the top of the seventh but dropped a heartbreaking 5-4 series opener at Auburn. Kennedy Clark plated two in the seventh with a single to the outfield but a Carolina error and Tiger single in the bottom seventh helped Auburn secure the walk-off win. (link)
Game 2: USC responded in a big way with a 10-1 victory in five innings over Auburn. The Gamecocks blasted two home runs as every player in the starting lineup reached base. (link)
Game 3: USC used a combination of timely hitting and pitching on its way to an 8-4 victory over Auburn to seal the series win. (link)
Beach Volleyball: Final weekend of the regular season
Friday: The Gamecocks went 2-0 on Wheeler Beach to open the weekend's Palmetto Invitational tournament. In the afternoon, they beat Tulane and capped the day with a win over Missouri State. (link)
Saturday: The Gamecocks split the final day of the regular season, defeating UNCW before dropping a dual to Charleston. USC enters the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association's tournament next weekend with a 18-9 overall record, 7-7 in CCSA duals. (link)
Equestrian: Seven Carolina freshmen named to SEC postseason teams - The USC equestrian team had seven different freshmen honored on postseason teams. (link)
Women's Tennis: Carolina downs Florida in final regular-season match - Paige Cline clinched USC's first win over Florida in 37 years Saturday. (link)
Men's Tennis: Gamecocks fall at Florida - USC fell short in a 6-1 loss on the road against Florida. (link)
Track & Field: USC makes global splash at historic Gamecock Invitational - Three Gamecocks surged to the top of the NCAA leaderboard in their events, with two assuming 2019 world leads, and Carolina alumni Miki Barber and Terrence Trammell became the first college track & field athletes in history to have their jerseys retired. (link)
– Jackson Fields
4. This Date in Gamecock History
April 15, 2008 – First baseman Justin Smoak put on a power display in a 14-4 win over USC Upstate, as he tied school records for home runs in a game (three) and RBI (nine).
5. Birthdays and Celebrations!
Syvelle Newton – Rated by Rivals.com as the No. 2 prospect in South Carolina, Newton spent his Gamecock career playing all over the field. He made one start at wide receiver as a true freshman in 2003, catching 22 passes for 277 yards that year but also throwing two passes and rushing four times for 44 yards. In 2004, he moved back to quarterback, sharing time with Blake Mitchell. He completed 53% of his passes for 1,093 yards and six TDs while also rushing for 262 yards. His top game that year saw him thrown for 324 yards and 3 TDs against South Florida. In 2005 he returned to wide receiver to start the year but also played some running back. Against Vanderbilt that year he threw two TD passes and ran for another score, earning SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors. As a senior in 2006 Newton would make seven starts at QB but then late in the year moved to the secondary where he made three starts at safety. He threw five TDs in a win over Florida Atlantic that season. On defense he made 18 tackles and combined with Jasper Brinkley to sack Will Proctor on the next to last play of the win over Clemson. He spent some time in the CFL and Arena league before returning to Columbia.
• John Adams (baseball/outfield, 2004)
• Keith Knag (football/cornerback, 1998-00)
• Al Tandy (football/offensive tackle, 1974-77)
Gamecock Central birthdays (Saturday-Monday)
• @rockingamecock (member since 2001)
• @USCBruce (member since 2001)
• @CockSure (member since 2004)
• @MB Gamecock (member since 2005)
• @shawncock (member since 2005)
• @waterway312 (member since 2009)
• @myles13 (member since 2015)
• @GDAWG1958 (member since 2018)
If you have a Gamecock Central account - free or subscription - you can add your birthday here.
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
6. ⌚ Key Events (Countdown)
• April 25 – NFL Draft begins (10 days)
• May 8 – SEC Softball Tourney (23)
• May 21 – SEC Baseball Tourney (36)
• July 15 – SEC Media Days begins (91)
• July 20 – Muschamp Ladies Football Clinic (96)
• Aug. 31 – Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (138)
More happenings
• April 15 – Gamecock Gala
• April 16 – Recruiting: Michael Wyman announcement
• 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 4 – Baseball: Earl Bass jersey retirement
• 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
• May 18 – SC Legends Camp
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.
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, April 15, 2019
1. Spring review: Offensive tackles rundown
South Carolina put a bow on spring football last Saturday with the Garnet & Black Game inside Williams-Brice Stadium. In this series, GamecockCentral.com takes a look at where things stand at each position now that spring ball is over. Today focuses on the offensive tackles.
• While it appeared that left tackle may be a position that was going to feature a spring position battle, Sadarius Hutcherson locked down the first-team spot pretty early in camp and never looked back, solidifying the position for this season. Hutcherson came to South Carolina as a tackle, but was a starter at guard last season, before moving back to left tackle this spring.
• Sophomore Dylan Wonnum, a former four-star recruit, took over as the Gamecocks' starting right tackle midway through the 2018 season and returns as the starter there this season.
• Hutcherson played a team-high 896 snaps on offense last season. Wonnum played 506, giving the Gamecocks two experienced starters at tackle. But there's virtually no experienced depth behind them, making it one of the key positions on the roster that the Gamecocks can't afford injuries.
• Freshman early enrollee Jaylen Nichols caught the attention of head coach Will Muschamp and earned the praise of offensive line coach Eric Wolford this spring. He's big and athletic at 6-foot-5, 315-pounds. While Nichols, like most freshmen at the position, still has plenty to learn, he could be forced into action this season. He worked as the backup right tackle in the spring game.
• Redshirt sophomore Jordon Carty has yet to see action in his career, but offers massive potential. The 6-foot-7, 327-pounder was banged up at times this spring, but worked with the second team at left tackle in the spring game.
• Redshirt sophomore Eric Douglas could be a wild card at tackle. A sharp, versatile player, Douglas spent time this spring at center, guard and tackle, filling in at center during the spring game due to injuries to Hank Manos and Chandler Farrell. Douglas could serve the all-important role of swing man this year, providing depth at every spot on the o-line.
• Keep an eye on freshman offensive lineman Jakai Moore this fall. Moore isn't on campus yet, but has similar athleticism to Nichols and could factor into the offensive tackle conversation as the season progresses.
– Wes Mitchell
2. ⚾ Baseball drops series at Florida
• South Carolina dropped its three-game road series with Florida this weekend, losing Saturday’s rubber match by two runs after a three-run walk-off homer with two outs. They’re now 21-15 overall and 4-11 at the halfway point in SEC play.
• In just his second-career start, Cam Tringali powered the Gamecocks to a win Friday night in game two, giving up just one run and scattering four hits over six-plus innings. He’s still second on the team in ERA behind Brett Kerry’s 2.10.
• South Carolina averaged five runs over the weekend but put up offense in spurts. Of the 27 innings they played, they scored in nine of them. Offensively they hit .227/.324/.443 with half of their 22 hits going for extra bases (six doubles, five home runs).
• Of the 10 pitchers the Gamecocks threw, eight were in either their first or second year in the program, five in their first and three—including Wesley Sweatt, who gave up the home run Saturday—were true freshmen. As a staff, they had an ERA of 6.31, a 1.71 WHP and walked as many batters (13) as they struck out.
Game 1: Gamecocks drop series opener behind 'fluky' start from Morgan (link)
Game 2: Tringali spins gem as Gamecocks even series (link)
Game 3: Gamecocks drop heartbreaker in series finale to Florida (link)
Up Next: South Carolina travels to Charlotte to play North Carolina on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Baseball Links: News | SEC Standings | Schedule | Statistics | Polls
– Collyn Taylor
3. This, that, and the other
NFL: Clowney to miss offseason workouts - According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Jadeveon Clowney will not attend the offseason conditioning program and organized team activities. Clowney is an unsigned franchise player and Wilson writes that this is standard procedure for an unsigned franchise player.
Football: Ty'Son Williams announces transfer destination - It was previously reported that running back Ty'Son Williams was transferring. On Sunday, Williams announced that he's transferring to BYU.
Men's Basketball: Martin not interviewing at Cincinnati - It didn't take long for Frank Martin to shut down any rumors about him interviewing anywhere else anytime soon. (link)
Men's Basketball: Gamecock commits react to Martin turning down interview - The stretch spanning Thursday night into early Friday afternoon was hectic for not only Frank Martin, but for South Carolina’s 2019 recruiting class. (link)
Men's Basketball: Signees think South Carolina can 'shock a lot of people' - South Carolina’s newest crop of signees still have a little over a month before they’re on campus with their new teammates, but they know what they’re walking into this summer. (subscription)
Football: The South Carolina football spring practice 3-2-1 - This feature covers three positives we uncovered about the team, two concerns that still exist, and one question yet to be answered. (subscription)
Football Recruiting: Five-star running back talks USC visit - Five-star running back MarShawn Lloyd made his second trip to South Carolina last weekend. The Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha star breaks down his time with the Gamecocks. (subscription)
Football Recruiting: Top 2021 target Gavin Blackwell has multiple South Carolina ties - Monroe, N.C., class of 2021 wide receiver Gavin Blackwell already has 16 offers to his name, including one from South Carolina, where he was multiple ties. (subscription)
Football Recruiting: More from Rivals camp - Wes Mitchell recaps what he saw from Carolina targets last weekend. (subscription)
Women's Golf: Gamecocks win Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic - Just four days prior to the 2019 SEC Championships, the USC women's golf took the title at the 2019 Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic. (link)
Softball: Beat Auburn 2 out of 3 to win series
Game 1: USC tied the game in the top of the seventh but dropped a heartbreaking 5-4 series opener at Auburn. Kennedy Clark plated two in the seventh with a single to the outfield but a Carolina error and Tiger single in the bottom seventh helped Auburn secure the walk-off win. (link)
Game 2: USC responded in a big way with a 10-1 victory in five innings over Auburn. The Gamecocks blasted two home runs as every player in the starting lineup reached base. (link)
Game 3: USC used a combination of timely hitting and pitching on its way to an 8-4 victory over Auburn to seal the series win. (link)
Beach Volleyball: Final weekend of the regular season
Friday: The Gamecocks went 2-0 on Wheeler Beach to open the weekend's Palmetto Invitational tournament. In the afternoon, they beat Tulane and capped the day with a win over Missouri State. (link)
Saturday: The Gamecocks split the final day of the regular season, defeating UNCW before dropping a dual to Charleston. USC enters the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association's tournament next weekend with a 18-9 overall record, 7-7 in CCSA duals. (link)
Equestrian: Seven Carolina freshmen named to SEC postseason teams - The USC equestrian team had seven different freshmen honored on postseason teams. (link)
Women's Tennis: Carolina downs Florida in final regular-season match - Paige Cline clinched USC's first win over Florida in 37 years Saturday. (link)
Men's Tennis: Gamecocks fall at Florida - USC fell short in a 6-1 loss on the road against Florida. (link)
Track & Field: USC makes global splash at historic Gamecock Invitational - Three Gamecocks surged to the top of the NCAA leaderboard in their events, with two assuming 2019 world leads, and Carolina alumni Miki Barber and Terrence Trammell became the first college track & field athletes in history to have their jerseys retired. (link)
– Jackson Fields
4. This Date in Gamecock History
April 15, 2008 – First baseman Justin Smoak put on a power display in a 14-4 win over USC Upstate, as he tied school records for home runs in a game (three) and RBI (nine).
- Smoak homered in the third, fourth and seventh innings and all three shots came with two men on base.
- Smoak was the second player to homer three times in a game during the 2008 season as third baseman James Darnell did it twice earlier that year.
- Freshman Sam Dyson was the winning pitcher, improving to 4-0.
- Reese Havens and Phil Disher also contributed home runs.
- Carolina improved to 26-10 with the win.
5. Birthdays and Celebrations!
Syvelle Newton – Rated by Rivals.com as the No. 2 prospect in South Carolina, Newton spent his Gamecock career playing all over the field. He made one start at wide receiver as a true freshman in 2003, catching 22 passes for 277 yards that year but also throwing two passes and rushing four times for 44 yards. In 2004, he moved back to quarterback, sharing time with Blake Mitchell. He completed 53% of his passes for 1,093 yards and six TDs while also rushing for 262 yards. His top game that year saw him thrown for 324 yards and 3 TDs against South Florida. In 2005 he returned to wide receiver to start the year but also played some running back. Against Vanderbilt that year he threw two TD passes and ran for another score, earning SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors. As a senior in 2006 Newton would make seven starts at QB but then late in the year moved to the secondary where he made three starts at safety. He threw five TDs in a win over Florida Atlantic that season. On defense he made 18 tackles and combined with Jasper Brinkley to sack Will Proctor on the next to last play of the win over Clemson. He spent some time in the CFL and Arena league before returning to Columbia.
• John Adams (baseball/outfield, 2004)
• Keith Knag (football/cornerback, 1998-00)
• Al Tandy (football/offensive tackle, 1974-77)
Gamecock Central birthdays (Saturday-Monday)
• @rockingamecock (member since 2001)
• @USCBruce (member since 2001)
• @CockSure (member since 2004)
• @MB Gamecock (member since 2005)
• @shawncock (member since 2005)
• @waterway312 (member since 2009)
• @myles13 (member since 2015)
• @GDAWG1958 (member since 2018)
If you have a Gamecock Central account - free or subscription - you can add your birthday here.
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
6. ⌚ Key Events (Countdown)
• April 25 – NFL Draft begins (10 days)
• May 8 – SEC Softball Tourney (23)
• May 21 – SEC Baseball Tourney (36)
• July 15 – SEC Media Days begins (91)
• July 20 – Muschamp Ladies Football Clinic (96)
• Aug. 31 – Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (138)
More happenings
• April 15 – Gamecock Gala
• April 16 – Recruiting: Michael Wyman announcement
• 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 4 – Baseball: Earl Bass jersey retirement
• 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
• May 18 – SC Legends Camp
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.
