Palmetto State Baseball team of the week-plus, Jan. 23-Feb. 1

North Greenville (3-0 for the week)
(beat Alabama Huntsville, No. 2 Central Missouri and Rollins)

Coach Landon Powell has raised the expectation level for Trailblazers baseball since his arrival, putting an NCAA Division II champion on the school's resume. His latest squad again looks ready to do big things.

Sixth-ranked NGU scored 37 runs in three games in sweeping through the Houston Winter Invitational in the Astros' Daikin Park. Included was a run-rule win over No. 2 Central Missouri.

The Trailblazers batted .320 as a team and drew 38 walks. Eight players with five or more plate appearances hit .400 or better.  leading the way was CJ Dean, who hit .583 with a homer and six RBI. Close behind was Jan Pospisil, who hit .500 and drove in seven runs.

North Greenville had an eight-run inning and two 6-run outbursts.

Up next: Lincoln Memorial at home, 3:30 p.m. Wednesday (weather permitting)

Honorable mention: Claflin snapped a 33-game losing streak dating to last March 4 with a 6-5 win over Philander Smith in its third game of the Willie Mays HBCU Invitational.

Also considered:
Florence-Darlington Tech (5-2) - 4 wins in 2 days in Florida tournament
Francis Marion (2-0)

Lander (2-0) - 22 runs in DH sweep for new coach Nick Popp
USC Aiken (2-0) - no-hitter by Ben Shepherd in first collegiate start

USC Sumter (2-0) - New coach Will Thompson gets two wins