NEWS DIGEST, SEPT. 8

USC commit helps USA win World Cup
Alex Destino, a commitment for the University of South Carolina, helped the United States 18-and-under-national team win the gold medal in the IABF World Cup in Taiwan. Destino was the winning pitcher and supported his cause with two hits and two RBIs  as the Americans beat Japan, 10-4, in a semifinal game. The student at North Buncombe High School in Weaverville, N.C., pitched six innings, allowing four hits, two runs (earned) and a walk while striking out four.

Destino, who bats and throws left,  did not play in the championship game, when the Americans beat Japan again, 3-2.

For the summer Destino hit .375 (6-for-16) with five RBI and a stolen bases.  He was 1-0 with a 3.97 ERA five walks and 11 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings.

In the World Cup Destino hit .400 (4-for-10) and was 1-0 with a 5.68 ERA.
Final

Destino-semifinal

Overall stats

World Cup stats

Costen transfers to USC Aiken
Outfielder T.J. Costen has transferred from USC to USC Aiken, USC baseball spokesman Andrew Kitick confirmed to Ron Aiken of  GamecockCentral.com. Costen hit .250 with a homer and 8 RBIs in 2013.  For his USC career Costen batted .267 (35-for-131)with 9 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, 10 RBIs and four stolen bases.
Costen

Earlier this week, Costen was named the No. 20 prospect in the Valley (summer) League by PerfectGame.org. Wofford pitcher Luke Leftwich was named the No. 9 prospect.
Valley

SMC's Wallace named coach
Spartanburg Methodist coach Tim Wallace has been named a coach in the NoKaOi Baseball Showcase in Hawaii in 2014. Wallace, who directed the Pioneers to the NJCAA World Series in 2013, will coach a team of players ages 16-18 from the Carolinas. The event will include instruction and competition.
Wallace

Practice time nears
NCAA Division I teams can begin fall workouts this week.
*  South Carolina's first workout is planned for Friday.
* Winthrop's first workout  will be on Saturday. Included is an exhibition against a Canadian college team Oct. 18. The Eagles will conclude workouts with the Eagles World Series Oct. 19-21.
Winthrop
* I have not received information from other state schools.

Winthrop tryout changed
Winthrop has changed the date and time for its walk-on tryouts to  4:30 p.m. Sept. 17.
Eagles

Alumni report
* USC baseball announcer Andy Demetra Tweets that former Gamecock Colby Holmes had a 1.82 ERA and 4 saves in 24 2./3 innings in 15 total relief appearances in the Gulf Coast and Appalachian rookie leagues. He allowed 22 hits, walked four and struck out 15. He had no decisions.. Holmes was signed as an undrafted free agent.
* Heath Hembree, a Broome High graduate who played at Spartanburg Methodist and College of Charleston, has made three relief appearances since being called up to the San Francisco Giants. He has pitched three scoreless innings,  allowing one hit and two walks while striking out three.

Lancers honored
USC Lancaster has named Mitchell Price of Ridge View its player of the week and Matthew Justice of Boiling Springs  its pitcher of the week for the early session of fall workouts.
Lancers

Recruiting
TheDiamondProspects.com reports the following commitments:
* West Ashley IF/RHP Jonathan Sabo has decided to play at USC Lancaster, with the intention of finishing his career at The Citadel.
Sabo
* West Ashley IF Tyrie Blalock also has committed to play for USCL.
Blalock 
* Socastee RHP Kyle Smith has committed to play for The Citadel.
Smith