* Clemson may be ambivalent about how the first two games of its ACC series with N.C. State have gone. The Tigers are 1-1 entering Monday's finale (weather permitting).
The positives: 1. Being 1-1 after two games is good considering the Tigers are without weekend starters Daniel Gossett and Jake Long because they aren't at full strength physically. 2. Matthew Crownover was brilliant in Saturday's victory, outdueling projected first-round draft pick Carlos Rodon. 3. Zack Erwin usually a midweek starter/weekend reliever, pitched well in on Sunday. Clate Schmidt, a weekend starter last season but now in a similar role to Erwin's, is scheduled to start Monday.
The negatives: 1. Being 1-1 after two games is bad considering N.C. State had lost 10 straight conference games before Sunday. 2. Clemson stay close enough late to give the Wolfpack a chance to doubt themselves in the clutch. A six-run top of the ninth gave the Pack a good working margin so they didn't have to try to protect a one-run lead with what likely is a shaky dose of confidence.
There's another negative, too. By using the Saturday-Monday format to fit TV obligations, the Tigers face the possibility of losing Monday's game to the weather. Clemson can't afford missing opportunities to gain ground on - or at least keep pace with - Atlantic Division leader Florida State.
* For many years Arkansas' Baum Stadium in Fayetteville, was a house of horrors for South Carolina. The Gamecocks were 3-13 in the facility prior to a three-game sweep in 2010 and a 2-1 series victory in 2012. The Gamecocks suffered a flashback this weekend, dropping two of three while putting up dismal offensive numbers. USC hit .168 (16-95) with 6 walks and 26 strikeouts. Carolina entered the series with 24 errors in 28 games, but made six official miscues against the Hogs. Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn and his staff appear to have developed a dandy game plan for attacking USC's hitters. The parity in the SEC is such that winning road series is difficult. It's virtually impossible when you can't muster much offense. Now, the Gamecocks must hold serve at home against Florida to complete first first half of the SEC schedule. The teams enter the matchup in a first-place tie in the East Division.
* Winthrop suffered a 1-0 loss to Radford in its series finale, but the Eagles have built a two-game lead in the Big South Conference South Division standings.
* Lander won two out of three from USC Aiken in a series matching nationally ranked Peach Belt Conference teams. The victories helped the Bearcats move into first place in the league a half-game ahead of Columbus State, even though they trail by percentage points.
* College of Charleston got its first Colonial Athletic Association series sweep with its three-game series win at Towson.
* Losing streaks were thriving for Charleston Southern (6 straight), Furman (5), Presbyterian (12) and USC Upstate (7) as all were swept in conference play. All four have navigated toward the bottom of their respective conference standings. They're all 0-for-April.
* Furman, Wofford and The Citadel are 8-9-10 in the SoCon standings. Only the top eight teams qualify for the event, so there's chance only one South Carolina team could qualify for the event at Joseph Riley Jr. Park in Charleston next month.
* Benedict entered the weekend with a mathematical chance to catch Albany State for first place in the SIAC East standings. The Tigers' regular-season title hopes were dashed, though, when the host Golden Rams swept a Saturday doubleheader to clinch the division title. Sunday's game was rained out.
* USC Beaufort's chances of making the six-team Sun Conference Tournament improved when they won two of three against Northwood. Losing the series final dropped the Sand Sharks into virtual tie for sixth with Northwood and Warner. USCB's final two conference series are on the road: at ninth-place Ave Maria and at Warner. They'll likely need at leas a 4-2 record in those games to be in good shape for a tournament berth.
* North Greenville was the victim of a no-htter in Saturday's 8-0 loss to Belmont Abbey, but things could have been worse. How, you say? Abbey pitcher Aaron Rumburg had a perfect game until he hit Crusaders No. 9 batter Colton Grant two two out in the ninth.
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