News digest, May 5

SMC coach Tim Wallace (right) goes over ground rules
for Mooneyham Field prior to a game against Walters
State several years ago. (Palmetto State Baseball photo)

Wallace's junior college era may be over

If Spartanburg Methodist maintains its timetable for moving from junior college to four-year status this fall, SMC's 6-0 loss to USC Sumter in the Region 10 Tournament in Lexington on Sunday marked the end of an era.

It was the 1,869th game of coach Tim Wallace's 33-year tenure with the Pioneers. He got his 1,350th win at the school in the regular-season finale against Caldwell Tech last month. His record stands at 1,351-517-1.

Wallace was honored by coaching colleagues at several rival Region 10 schools during his final swing through the region schedule. 

His teams won 12 Region 10 titles and made seven trips to the NJCAA College World Series in Grand Junction, Colo. His predecessor, Lon Joyce, won seven region titles and took the Pioneers to the school's first two junior college world series.

Notes/previews

* Bob Jones (NCCAA South Regional)
Bruins

NCCAA South Regional Tournament Central

* South Carolina notebook
Gamecocks