In hindsight, USC coach Ray Tanner made the right call to go with ace Michael Roth in the Gamecocks' NCAA Regional opener against Georgia Southern Friday night. Roth was effectively wild through seven-plus innings, allowing two hits, two walks and an unearned run.
But USC's offense continues to struggle. A major part of the issue Friday was the performance of Georgia Southern's Andy Moye, who scattered four hits in pitching a complete game. You probably couldn't find anyone on the USC staff or roster convinced Georgia Southern should have been a four seed in a regional.
The Gamecocks can't count on shut-down pitching every time out, so they need to find a way to get their bats going. They welcomed Adam Matthews back into the lineup at DH, but he looked as rusty as you might expect from someone who had batted just once against live pitching since April 16. He was unable to catch up with Moye's fastball.
USC got through the first inning unscathed, something it couldn't do in its three Southeastern Conference Tournament games. Once again, though, an error contributed to an opponent's run. Twelve of the 27 runs USC has allowed over its past eight games are unearned.
Clemson takes care of business
Clemson did all its scoring in the first three innings in coasting past Sacred Heart, 11-1.
Unlike USC, Clemson's offense appears to be coming together at precisely the right time. The Tigers got 12 hits - even though all-American shortstop Brad Miller was held off the board.
John Hinson did exactly what a leadoff man is supposed to do: get on bases. Chris Epps continued his late-season surge.
Given the luxury of the big early lead, Tigers coach Jack Leggett was able to use Scott Firth for six innings, then use a couple of relievers to mop up. He still has David Haselden as an option a a starter should the need occur.
Coastal makes a statement
From reading some of the comments after Coastal Carolina's 13-1 rout of Connecticut on Friday, it sounded like the Chanticleers felt they were being overlooked.
Facing a team with two probable first-round draft picks (pitcher Matt Barnes, outfielder George Springer) on Monday, the Chanticleers dominated.
Anthony Meo had a solid 6 1/3 innings, Hayes Orton had five hits and Tommy La Stella had two home runs for Coastal.
Coastal played Clemson in the regular season, taking a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning before losing in the 10th, 5-4. Saturday's game should be a dandy.
Other surprises:
* Georgia Tech could only put one run on the board in a loss to Austin Peay.
* There were some who scoffed that UCLA received a regional No. 1 seed, while others picked the Bruins to win the College World Series. They'll have to come out of the losers' bracket of their regional to do so after they were shut out by San Francisco, 3-0.
* By my count, higher-seeded teams lost 13 of Friday's 32 first-round games. Only two No. 1 seeds lost, but two or three others needed some late heroics to avoid upsets.
* The ACC went 5-2 in the first round, as did the SEC.
* The inclusion of Dallas Baptist and St. John's in the 64-team field over LSU, among others, was criticized by some on selection day. Both teams won their openers.
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