* Charleston Southern moved a step closer to having its first winning season since 1996 with a late-inning rally to beat Winthrop, 8-6. Closer Austin Weekley tied Payton Tweddale for the school's career saves record (18) with his school-record 10th save of the season.
* Despite the loss, Winthrop remained in a first-place tie with Coastal Carolina in the Big South Conference South Conference because Coastal suffered a 7-1 loss to North Division leader Liberty. Five of Liberty's runs were the result of a Chanticleers error.
* Clemson's 2-1 loss in the opener of a three-game series at Notre Dame was costly for the Tigers. The loss, coupled with Florida State's win over North Carolina, allowed the Seminoles to clinch the ACC Atlantic Division regular-season title. Also, Clemson probably suffered a substantial hit to its RPI and made the path to getting an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament steeper. The remaining six games - two with Notre Dame, one with Furman and three with Boston College - are not conducive to improving Clemson's RPI. The Tigers drew eight walks but got only four hits and left 10 on base. Clemson's final two batters struck out with runners on second and third base in the ninth inning. On the bright side, sophomore pitcher Matthew Crownover had another superb start for the Tigers (30-20).
* College of Charleston didn't stumble in a road series opener against Colonial Athletic Association foe Hofstra and picked up some ground on first-place William & Mary, which is playing a non-conference series this weekend. The Cougars play William & Mary to end the regular season.
*'Furman got a solid five-inning start from Matt Solter before Friday night's Southern Conference game with Elon was suspended until Saturday because of rain with Furman leading, 4-0. The Paladins' Hunter Burton set a school season record with his 36th stolen base. The previous mark of 35 was set by Eddy Halleman in 1986. With Wofford rallying for a 5-4 victory over UNC Greensboro, Furman temporarily fell a half-famed behind the Terriers.
* Presbyterian stepped out of Big a South Conference play with its 10-0 loss to Central Florida.
* The news was mostly good for South Carolina. The Gamecocks beat Missouri as their offense showed signs of getting back in form and pitcher Jordan Montgomery had another solid start. Injury-plagued Max Schrock had three hits, suggesting he is regaining His batqting stroke. USC (37-13) probably is in good shape to host an NCAA Tournament regional unless it collapses over its final six game. It probably would take a 6-0 finish and some luck for the Gamecocks to creep back into the national seed picture. USC is going to need some help to be one of four teams earning a first-round bye in the SEC Tournament.
* USC Sumter and Spartanburg Methodist learned they will be joined by ASA of New York in the field for the four-team NJCAA Eastern District Tournament in Sumter next week. ASA won the Region 15 championship by sweeping Monroe in a doubleheader to open the best-of-three region championship series. The field for the Eastern Tournament will be completed Sunday when the Region 20 champion is named. Chesapeake, Harford and Potomac State are still alive in the Region 20 Tournament.
* USC Upstate snapped a 10-game losing streak in a big way, getting a 10-5 victory over Jacksonville.
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