Some thoughts on Friday's NCAA games and a peak at Saturday

First, sorry I couldn't provide more timely updates. When I go to a game, I'm without Internet access. I tried to send text message updates with final scores, but I didn't find out the College of Charleston final until I got home well after midnight.

On to the games, in which state teams went 5-0!

Clemson
In its 10-1 win over Southern Mississippi, Clemson played more like the team that started the season 17-2 than the one that struggled midway through the schedule. The Tigers got a solid seven-inning start from Scott Weismann, allowing Jack Leggett to be selective in how he used his bullpen to finish up. Clemson also got several clutch hits. There's the old "Auburn with a lake" line about Clemson, but the schools' baseball teams also have similarities -- plenty of offense, but pitching staffs that need to step up for the teams to be successful. The one to do a better job of that on Saturday may be the one to grab the advantage in the regional.

Coastal Carolina
The Chanticleers took care of business in the opener, riding Cody Wheeler's six-hit complete game to a 6-0 victory over Stony Brook. They took advantage of Stony Brook mistakes to score three unearned runs in the fifth inning and build on a 1-0 lead. Wheeler pitched through some weather delays, allowing coach Gary Gilmore to have his entire bullpen available for today's game with College of Charleston.

College of Charleston
The Cougars put the pressure on N.C. State early, scoring three runs in the first inning en route to a 7-0 lead, then holding on for a 9-6 victory. The College's first 14 hits - all in the first five innings - were singles before Jose Rodriguez and Greg Blake homered. Next up for the Cougars is Coastal Carolina, a team they're beaten five straight times, including twice this year.

The Citadel
The Bulldogs felt they were worthy of being a No. 2 seed instead of a No. 3, and they only burnished their credentials with the 7-2 victory over No. 2 Virginia Tech to run their winning streak to 13 games. The Citadel scored four runs in the second inning to put the Hokies in comeback mode early. Matt Talley improved to 8-3 and the Bulldogs were able to save ace Asher Wojciechowski for the second-round meeting with South Carolina today.

South Carolina
Despite several lineup/position changes, the Gamecocks' offensive funk from the Southeastern Conference Tournament carried over into most of Friday's game with Bucknell. USC starter Sam Dyson was solid until he allowed a home run to start the fourth inning. Shortly after that, rain and lightning caused a delay of more than an hour. Dyson returned, but never seemed comfortable after play resumed. He wound up leaving in the sixth inning as the Gamecocks fell behind 5-1, with some sloppy defense contributing to the problems. Meanwhile, USC's offensive woes mirrored its SEC tournament troubles -- lots of popups from upper-cut swings and plenty of men left on base. If there was a silver lining to that point, it was that it looked like the Gamecocks wouldn't have to face The Citadel's Wojciechowski in the second round. Then, Evan Marzilli - one of the newcomers to the lineup - hit a two-run homer in the sixth. Reliever Michael Roth restored order on the mound and the Gamecocks struck for five runs in the eighth - on a two-run homer by Jackie Bradley Jr. and a three-run shot by Adrian Morales - to claim a 9-5 victory over Bucknell team that seemed better than its 25-34 record until it got deep into its bullpen. USC fans will wonder if the offensive woes of the last two weeks are gone, but Wojciechowski will be a tough nut to crack Saturday night.