NEWS DIGEST, SEPT. 4

USC commitment helps Team USA
University of South Carolina commitment Alex Destino has helped the U.S. under-18 national team win its pool in the IABF world Cup in Taiwan. The Americans and Cuba finished tied atop the pool with 4-1 records, but Team USA won the head-to-head meeting, 6-5.

The Americans face Venezuela at 12:30 a.m. (EDT) Thursday.

Destino, a senior from North Buncombe High in Weaverville, N.C.,  is 2-for-6 for a run scored and two RBIs in the tournament. He has made two pitching appearances, allowing two hits, two runs (earned) and walking three in one-third of an inning.

Counting exhibition games prior to the tournament, Destino is batting .333 (4-for-12) with a run scored, 3 RBIs and a stolen base  He has  no record and a 5.06 ERA in 5 1/3 innings. He has made four appearances - one start - and allowed six hits, three runs (all earned) with four walks and seven strikeouts. He has allowed two doubles and a home run and thrown two wild pitches.

Team USA

Statistics

Powell eyes coaching career
Former USC catcher Landon Powell, entering his first season as a volunteer assistant coach at Furman, said on Dan Scott's Tiger Talk sports talk show on Tuesday that he would like to be a college head coach one day. Scott's show is on from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. weekdays on WRIX-FM (103.1) in the Honea Path-Anderson area.

Recruiting
TheDiamondProspects.com reports the following commitments from S.C. high school players:
* Mann LHP Patrick Roth has chosen to play for Anderson
Roth
* Laurens High 3B Cody Smiley has selected Francis Marion.
Smiley
* Mann IF Logan Dimatteo has decided to attend USC Lancaster.
Dimatteo
* St. Joseph's RHP Ryan Stamler has revealed plans to play for The Citadel.
Stamler
* Hanahan IF Seth Lancaster has selected Coastal Carolina.
Lancaster
* Myrtle Beach C Lukas Ray has chosen to play for USC Lancaster.
Ray