... USC's Blake Cooper continues to have an amazing senior season. He held Arkansas to three hits and two runs over seven innings in the Gamecocks' 3-2 victory, outdueling the Razorbacks' Drew Smyly in a battle of unbeatens. It improved Cooper's record to 10-0 and proved again that two good pitching performances can be just as exciting as a slugfest. A few weeks back, Cooper won a similar dandy pitching duel with Mississippi's Drew Pomeranz. Cooper is making a strong case for all-SEC honors, if not more.
... While Clemson missed a chance to gain ground on ACC Atlantic leader Florida State because of the 9-5 loss to Wake Forest, the Tigers can be thankful they didn't lose ground. The Seminoles lost to N.C. State and remained two games ahead. If the Tigers can right themselves for the final two games this weekend, they'll still be in fine shape for the season-ending home series against FSU next weekend.
... Say what you will about the caliber of the Big South Conference versus some other leagues, Coastal Carolina's perfect record so far in league play is an amazing feat. By my calculations, the Chanticleers can clinch the regular-season title by winning Saturday's game.
... North Greenville didn't panic when it surrendered a 5-0 lead over the final two innings of its NCCAA regional final against Southeastern. Instead, coach Travis Henson's bounced back with a run in the bottom of the seventh to take the title and advance to the National Christian College Athletic Association World Series later this month. That being said, I wish the NCCAA let its teams play nine innings instead of seven in regional play. These guys are grownups. Play a full game.
... Furman snapped its eight-game losing streak -- and 10-game slide in Southern Conference play -- just in time to keep its tournament hopes on life support. The Paladins moved within three games of the Terriers for the final berth in the league tournament with five games remaining, but there's still a lot of wood to chop.
... The series-opening win over Kennesaw State gives USC Upstate six wins in its last 10 A-Sun Conference games. That's noteworthy after a 1-14 start to league play.
And, outside the state ...
... Georgia will likely want to burn all evidence of this season. The Bulldogs took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth against Florida Friday night, then committed an error and botched consecutive bunts to allow the Gators to tie the score. Florida added another run later in the inning to win the game and stay tied for first place in the SEC East (and overall) with USC.
... LSU continued its amazing slide down the SEC standings when Lance Ray's second three-run home run of the game -- this one in the ninth inning -- gave Kentucky an 11-9 victory. The Tigers have lost 10 of their last 11 in league play, and could conceivably be bumped out of an SEC tournament spot by either Alabama or Kentucky, both of whom are two games behind with five league games remaining. If LSU and Alabama should be the two teams squeezed out, attendance for the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Ala., will take a major hit.
Stepping away from the college game to the majors for a minute ...
While most of the major league announcers likely are rooting for the team they're broadcasting for, odds are a lot of them just see it as a job. Listen to Cubs announcer Ron Santo for a few innings and it's obvious he agonizes over every little thing that goes wrong for the Cubs. He's really a fan.
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