... What more can be said about North Greenville? Down to their final out in Thursday's game at the National Christian College World Series, the Crusaders scored three runs to beat Olivet Nazarene, 7-5, and advance to a game today against defending national champion Bluefield (40-14). Crusaders coach Travis Henson noted the irony that catcher Anthony Foulk, a Chicago area native, started the winning rally with a hit against Olivet Nazarene, a Chicago area school. Laurens native Adam Taylor followed with a first-pitch home run to give NGU the lead and Derek Fulmer capped a 4-for-4 day with a solo home run for some insurance. Henson said he didn't detect any despair among the Crusaders prior to the rally. "That was our 43rd win of the season, and you don't win 43 games without believing in yourselves until the very end,'' Henson said.
... Clemson's baseball players showed they're not disheartened by a season that hit a severe speed bump near its midpoint, rallying several times in a 9-8 victory over Florida State. The win, capped by a three-run rally in the bottom of the eighth, pulled the Tigers within two games of the first-place Seminoles in the ACC Atlantic Division. Two more wins and Clemson gets the division title.
... I was a little surprised, though, by the number of empty seats there appeared to be at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, based on TV cameras. I understand Clemson students are out of school and it was on a work/school night for most folks, but that usually doesn't stop Tigers fans from turning out.
... Congratulations to Coastal Carolina coach Gary Gilmore for getting his 600th career victory in a 7-2 win over Radford. It also kept the Chanticleers unbeaten in Big South play.
... Ian Parry has been Furman's most dependable starting pitcher all season, and he gave another indication why Thursday, pitching a complete game as the Paladins won a crucial game at UNC Greensboro, 4-3. The senior right-hander scattered eight hits, walked none and allowed three runs -- two earned. He also struck out six, including all three outs in the ninth after the Paladins had taken the lead in the top of the inning. Furman pulled within a half game of Wofford for the final spot in the Southern Conference Tournament.
... While the bulk of Furman's problems during a 17-35 season have been pitching-related (i.e., a 7.28 staff earned-run average and an injury to closer Nick Karow), the lengthy absence of infielder Brian Harrison because of injury hasn't help. (He hit .303 and led the team with 12 homers and 43 RBIs in 2009.) The junior from Hilton Head had three hits -- including his fourth home run over the past four games -- Thursday. He's played in just 32 of Furman's 52 games, starting 25, and has a .333 batting average. Oddly, he has just 17 RBIs even though he's hit nine home runs.
... The opener to the Florida-South Carolina series lived up to its billing, with the Gators escaping with a 3-2 victory. If the Gamecocks fall a game short of the SEC title, they may look back ruefully on two situations where they left the bases loaded. Both bullpens looked impressive.
... The Citadel clinched at least a share of the SoCon title with its 9-4 winning at Georgia Southern, getting Asher Wojciechowski's second consecutive complete game. The Bulldogs still need another win -- or at least one rainout -- to edge College of Charleston for the SoCon regular-season title.
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