Palmetto State Baseball team of the week, March 26-April 1, South Carolina

South Carolina (4-0 for the week)
(beat Davidson, went 3-0 vs. Tennessee)

This time a week ago South Carolina was reeling. A sweep at Georgia -- the Gamecocks' fifth straight series loss to the Dawgs -- had stretched Carolina's losing streak to five games. T.J. Hopkins, one of USC's most consistent hitters, missed that series with an injury. Leading hitter Madison Stokes was hurt making a SportsCenter Top 10 catch in the Sunday loss.

Freshman Noah Campbell appeared to be settling into the role of leadoff hitter.

But on Monday of this week Campbell suffered a broken finger in batting practice, putting the Gamecocks (17-11, 4-5 SEC) without three of their top hitters.

They struggled in a 5-4 midweek win over Davidson, then got a much-needed booster with a weekend sweep of Tennessee, which has endured a string of futility against the Gamecocks. USC has won nine straight against the Vols.

It wasn't a perfect weekend, though, Second baseman Justin Row, who was hitting .429 over his last four games, was injured in a play at second and misses Saturday's series finale. That forced the moves of third baseman Jonah Bride to second and catcher/first baseman Chris Cullen to third base for Saturday's series finale.

Next up for the Gamecocks is a Tuesday game against North Carolina in downtown Charlotte. USC has been pummeled in this meeting the previous two seasons. Following that is a weekend trip to Kentucky, which is in last place in the SEC East Division after being expected to challenge Florida for the league title.

That's why the Gamecocks needed some positive results on the field over the past week.

Also considered (record for week)
Benedict (4-0)
Clemson (4-0)
Florence-Darlington Tech (5-0) - Coach Preston McDonald gets 300th career win
Newberry (3-1)
South Carolina (4-0)
USC Sumter (3-1)
Voorhees (2-0)
Wofford (4-0)

Previous winners
Jan. 16-Feb. 4: Florence-Darlington Tech
Feb. 5-12: Southern Wesleyan
Feb. 13-18: Coastal Carolina
Feb. 19-25: Clemson

Feb. 26-March 4: College of Charleston
March 5-11: USC Salkehatchie
March 12-18: Morris
March 19-25: North Greenville