State teams went 3-2 on Saturday, as good as possible considering two games matched state teams against one another.
Clemson
The Tigers are in the drivers' seat at the Auburn Regional after Saturday's 5-2 win over host Auburn. Mike Freeman's home run two batters into the game gave Clemson confidence early and Casey Harman pitched a complete game five-hitter. The bullpen has been an Achilles' heel for Clemson on occasion this season. Complete games preclude that possibility. I think the Tigers close the deal Sunday night, no matter the opponent.
Coastal Carolina/College of Charleston
The Chanticleers have a 33-3 record since March 28. One loss is to Virginia, and the other two are to College of Charleston. The Cougars jumped on the Chants for seven runs in the first inning of Saturday's 16-6 and now may be in the heads of Coastal's players. Coastal still has the talent to come back and win the regional, but it must figure out how to cool off the red-hot Cougars bats.
The Citadel/South Carolina
The Asher Wojciechowski/Blake Cooper duel was as advertised into the seventh inning, when the Gamecocks rallied for five runs en route to a 9-4 victory. Wojciechowski, a projected early-round selection in Monday's Major League Draft, came unhinged in the seventh, committing a balk and wild-pitching in the go-ahead run. Perhaps it was fatigue. Cooper entered the seventh trailing 4-2 even though he didn't give up an earned run. Two of the 12 batters he struck out reached base and later scored. USC needed a late-inning rally for a second straight day to remain unbeaten. With most of the bullpen still fresh after two games, the Gamecocks are in ideal shape to advance to a Super Regional.
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