Composite of six major DI preseason polls, Jan. 31

Each week during the regular season, CollegeBaseballInsider.com posts a composite poll of five national NCAA Division I rankings. In the table below, I've added PerfectGame.org to the mix for a six-ranking composite.

Here are the six preseason polls. TCU is No. 1 in all six polls.

South Carolina is fifth, Clemson 12th and defending national champion Coastal Carolina 15th.

There are seven ACC teams and six SEC teams in the preseason ranking. Most teams begin their season Feb. 17.

	School	NCBWA	BBA	USAT	CB	D1	PG	Total
1.	TCU	25	25	25	25	25	25	150
2.	Florida	24	23	24	23	24	22	140
3.	LSU	23	22	23	24	21	24	137
4.	Florida State	22	24	21	17	23	23	130
5.	S. Carolina	21	21	22	22	22	21	129
6.	Oregon State	19	17	19	21	18	19	113
7.	Vanderbilt	20	15	20	20	19	17	111
8.	Louisville	18	19	18	15	14	20	104
9.	East Carolina	17	20	16	13	16	16	98
10.	Cal St. Fullerton	12	18	15	16	10	11	82
11.	N. Carolina	14	9	13	11	17	14	78
12.	Clemson	13	16	14	14	11	7	75
13.	(tie) La. Lafay.	11	13	10	12	13	13	72
13.	(tie) N.C. State	16	12	12	0	20	12	72
15.	C. Carolina	15	11	17	7	15	2	67
16.	Arizona	10	4	11	19	7	1	52
17.	Virginia	7	10	8	10	9	0	44
18.	Miami	8	0	9	18	5	0	40
19.	(tie) Stanford	3	3	5	2	8	10	31
19.	(tie) Okla. State	4	8	4	0	0	15	31
21.	Texas Tech	9	1	7	0	12	0	29
22.	Washington	0	14	0	5	0	8	27
23.	(tie) Mississippi	0	0	2	4	0	18	24
23.	(tie) San Barbara	5	7	3	8	1	0	24
23.	(tie) Texas A&M	6	0	6	6	6	0	24

     26. Long Beach State 15; 27. Rice 11; 28. Maryland 10; 29. Texas 9; 30. Houston 6; 31. Georgia Tech 5; 32. Cal Poly 4; 33. Sam Houston State 3; 34. UNC Wilmington 2; 35. Arizona State 1.

   Poll key: NCBWA -- National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association; BBA -- Baseball America; USAT -- USA TODAY coaches; CB -- Collegiate Baseball; D1 -- D1Baseball.com; PG -- PerfectGame.org

   Points are awarded on a descending scale, from 25 points for a first-place vote to 1 for a 25th-place vote. Some polls ranked more than 25 teams, but I kept it at the top 25 for consistency's sake. In the event of ties, the points are divided evenly among the tied teams.

News digest, Jan. 31

State players on NCBWA squad
Clemson's Seth Beer and Pat Krall, South Carolina's Clarke Schmidt and Tyler Johnson and Coastal Carolina's Andrew Beckwith were all first-team selections on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's preseason all-American team announced today. USC's Alex Destino was a second-team pick.
Writers

Beer, Crowe honored
Clemson's Seth Beer was a second-team choice and South Carolina's Wil Crowe was a third-team selection on Baseball America's preseason all-American team.
BA AA

State schedule, Jan. 30-Feb. 5

Series of the week: Lander (No. 28 in the Collegiate Baseball preseason poll) at Mount Olive (No. 33).
When: Noon DH Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday.
Jason Burke makes his debut as Bearcats coach.

Other highlights
* USC Aiken, at No. 10 the highest-ranked state team in the Collegiate Baseball poll, has a weekend home series with Lincoln Memorial.

* Francis Marion entertains Claflin, North Greenville and Wingate in the Carolinas Hospital System Classic, a round-robin type event at Sparrow Stadium. Claflin is No. 6 among small schools in the BlackCollegeNines.com preseseason rankings of HBCUs.

* Other intriguing matchups include Erskine at Columbus State and Newberry against Belmont Abbey in a series with games at each site.

* Luke Harrigan has his debut as Coker's coach with a Wednesday home game against St. Andrews.

Wednesday, Feb. 1
Limestone at Mars Hill, 2 p.m.
St. Andrews at Coker, 2 p.m.
Southeastern CC at Florence-Darlington Tech, 4 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 2
Erskine at Columbus State, 3 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 3
USC Salkehatchie at East Georgia, DH, 1 p.m.
Erskine at Columbus State, 3 p.m.
Lincoln Memorial at USC Aiken, 4 p.m.
Montreat at Southern Wesleyan, 4 p.m.
Newberry at Belmont Abbey, 4 p.m.
Carolinas Hospital System Classic
Sparrow Stadium, Florence
Claflin at Francis Marion, 2 p.m.
North Greenville vs. Wingate, 5 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 4
Chowan at Coker, DH, noon
Erskine at Columbus State, noon
Lander at Mount Olive, DH, noon
Montreat at Southern Wesleyan, DH, noon
St. Anselm at Limestone, DH, noon
USC Sumter at Catawba Valley, DH, noon
Belmont Abbey at Newberry, DH, 1 p.m.
Bluefield State at Voorhees, 2 p.m.
Lincoln Memorial at USC Aiken, 2 p.m.
Southeastern CC at USC Lancaster, DH, 2:30 p.m.
Anne Arundel at Florence-Darlington Tech, DH, 3 p.m.
Carolinas Hospital System Classic
Sparrow Stadium, Florence
Claflin vs. North Greenville, Florence, 11 a.m.
North Greenville at Francis Marion,2 p.m.
Claflin vs. Wingate, Florence, 5 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 5
Anne Arundel at Florence-Darlington Tech, DH, 11 a.m.
Coker at Chowan, DH, noon
St. Anselm at Limestone, noon
USC Sumter at Catawba Valley, DH, noon
Bluefield State at Voorhees, 1 p.m.
East Georgia at USC Salkehatchie, DH, 1 p.m.
Lander at Mount Olive, 1 p.m.
Lincoln Memorial at USC Aiken, 1 p.m.
Southeastern CC at USC Lancaster, 1 p.m.
Carolinas Hospital System Classic
Sparrow Stadium, Florence
Wingate at Francis Marion, 2 p.m.

State scoreboard, Sunday, Jan. 29

USC Lancaster 7, Catawba Valley 2, G1 - Lan: Evan Edwards 1B, 2 HR, 6 RBI
USC Lancaster 8, Catawba Valley 2, G2 - Lan: Jared Williams 4-4, 2B, 3 R
Walters State 16, USC Salkehatchie 7, G1 - Salk: Benny Trefsgar 1B, HR, 2 RBI
Walters State 6, USC Salkehatchie 0, G2 - Salk: Josh Litchfield, 1B

Palmetto State Baseball 2017 preview: USC Lancaster

This preview was posted on USC Lancaster's athletics Website, usclathletics.com.

“We need to focus on being steady at being steady.”

Those words have resonated with any Steve Williams coached Lancaster ball club during his nne-year tenure at the helm of the program.

Williams has high hopes for the year, adding, “We have a chance to be special, but we need to remember the best four letter word in the English language, work.”

After posting a 38-21 mark a year ago, USC-L baseball feels there is more in the tank for the 2017 campaign. Having come up short in the Region X championship last season, first baseman Evan Edwards and fellow returners are anxious to make another post season run.

Edwards, returning region RBI leader and NC State commit, feels strongly about the upcoming season; "The way our season ended last year has led to more motivation both at practice and in the weight room this year.”

USC-L is also returning last year’s Region X leader in stolen bases, Walt Ballentine, who states, “We have the pieces to make a solid run, but everyone needs to do their part and come together as a family.”

Returner Cordes Baker gears up for his second season on the mound for the Lancers. After Baker posted outstanding numbers as a freshman, he went on to pitch for the Upper Valley Nighthawks in the New England Collegiate Summer League, logging 41 innings and striking out 26 opponents.

Although the Lancers are returning a solid staff from 2016, including RHP Brandon Justice and local products Kipp Rollings (RHP) and Trey Sowell (LHP), the program has made big additions in the off-season to improve the staff for 2017.

Notable additions include right-handed transfers David Dunlavey (Wofford College) and Harrison Smith (University of South Carolina). After taking a redshirt during the 2016 season, Thomas DuRant has put himself in a position to be a big time arm from the left side.

Sophomore transfer Jared Williams (University of South Carolina) had a very impressive fall with the bat and is expected to have a breakthrough year for the Lancers.

USC-L is also looking for impact seasons out of redshirt sophomore Tyrie Blalock (INF), and sophomores Tyler Ackard (OF/1B), Evan Flynn (UTL) and Tyler Baker (INF).

Incoming freshmen will have plenty of opportunities to contribute this year as position battles will continue throughout the early part of the season.
 ---
The Lancers opened the season with a doubleheader sweep of Catawba Valley CC on Saturday. The teams play another doubleheader today.

State scoreboard, Saturday, Jan. 28

USC Lancaster 2, Catawba Valley 0, G1 - Lan: Harrison Smith, 5 IP, 1 H, 9K
USC Lancaster 9, Catawba Valley 4, G2 - Lan: Evan Edwards 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI
Walters State 12, USC Salkehatchie 1 - Salk: Rod Dobbs 2 BB, SB

Palmetto State Baseball 2017 preview: Lander

Answers provided by first-year Lander coach Jason Burke. The Bearcats begin their season with a Feb. 4 doubleheader at Mount Olive.

PSB: After what you saw in fall workouts, what are your team's prospects for the 2017 season?

JB:  After concluding the fall workouts I believe that we will have a strong club this year.  Being my first year here and not knowing the exact level of competition that we will see it is difficult for me to say how we will stack up to others in the area and the Peach Belt.  We will be young in terms of returning college at-bats, but not young as far as age.  On the mound we return a lot of good pieces and a quality amount of innings.  I really like a few of the new pieces that have been added to the roster.

PSB: What are your biggest areas of concern entering the 2017 season?

JB: My biggest area of concern is the amount of returning college at-bats that we have.  I like our offense and think that we have talent in this area; just not a lot of in game experience.

PSB: In what areas does your team appear to be improved from the 2016 season?

JB: I cannot answer this questions; because I was not here in 2016, but I can tell you we will be different.  They hit 95 HR’s last year, and we are not built like that this year.  I believe that we will hit our fair share of extra base hits, but we will run the bases very well and steal a lot of bases.

PSB: Based on fall workouts, which returnees from 2016 (including redshirts) look best prepared to play a bigger role in 2017?

JB: The returners that look best prepared to play a big role this year that did not last year are: Carson Jones should be a very good bat in our line up and missed last season due to injury.  He will play at one of the infield spots and should provide some power to the lineup.  Zach Giczewski missed last year due to injury as well and should occupy 1B for us this year while providing a stead switch hitting bat in our lineup.  On the mound Cameron Tekker was injured last season and looks to be able to be a key piece in the back end of the bullpen.  Joseph Whitt was a Freshman last season and should be a key left handed option in a variety of roles for us.  Last Erik Holton redshirted last season and had a great fall for us.  He has shown that he should be a key weapon out of the bullpen as well.

PSB : Based on fall workouts, which newcomers are most likely to contend for major roles in 2017?

JB: We have a lot of new faces that should be able to help us out as well.  Transfer JD Cook should be a staple in the weekend rotation as a very good LHP.  Outfield transfer Alec Dowell should man CF for us and has shown good power and speed.  Charleston Southern transfer Jacob Childress should be able to help the team both on the mound and in the field.  Wingate transfer Bailey Connell looks to start on the field for us and be at the top of the batting order.  Clemson Transfer Garrett Lovorn should have a big role on the pitching staff as well.  As for the freshmen Colton Yeager is really pushing for time on the infield and has shown that he can help the club this year.  Nathan Schreckengost should compete for time at 1B and the DH spot right away as well.

Palmetto State Baseball 2017 preview: USC Salkehatchie

Answers provided by USC Salkehatchie coach Charles "Bubba" Dorman. The Indians begin their season at home Saturday vs. traditional NJCAA power Walters State from Morristown, Tenn.

PSB: After what you saw in fall workouts, what are your team's prospects for the 2017 season?

BD: USC Salkehatchie had a good fall season. We competed well against a few other Junior Colleges and some travel teams. We seem to be strong defensively.

PSB: What are your biggest areas of concern entering the 2017 season?

BD: Our biggest concern is the depth of our pitching staff. We have a hand full of guys that can fill up the strike zone and will compete, but the depth is lacking.

PSB: In what areas does your team appear to be improved from the 2016 season?

BD: Hopefully we will improve upon our hitting ability and the ability to finish things in 2017.

PSB: Based on fall workouts, which returnees from 2016 (including redshirts) look best prepared to play a bigger role in 2017?

BD: Returners from 2016 that we are counting on to have success on the mound in 2017 are Jon Yarbrough (Socastee), Will Gee (Jefferson Davis Academy), Hunter Hernandez (JF Byrnes), Christopher Hitchman (Cane Bay), Ethan Keane (Wando), Justin Bradshaw (Lewisville), Jonathan Bowman (Cane Bay) and Zach Quinn (Cold Spring Harbor, NY).

Jonathan Wright (Greenwood) at SS, Caleb Talton (Airport) at 1B, Benny Trefsgar (Irmo) at Catcher and Josh Litchfield (Ashley Ridge) in Center Field are returners defensively and offensively that we are depending upon to lead us.

PSB : Based on fall workouts, which newcomers are most likely to contend for major roles in 2017?

BD: Based on the fall season, Freshmen that will play a big role in 2017 are Robert Lewis (Calhoun Academy), Pitcher, Nate Timms (Palmetto), Pitcher, Chase Ferguson (Abbeville), Pitcher; Asher Smith (Stratford), Catcher; Hagen Mott (Holly Hill Academy), 3B; Joey Allen (Airport), Brian Smith (Thomson, GA), and Cody Adams (Saluda) in the Outfield. Rod Dobbs (Strom Thurmond) Infielder, could also play himself into a role as the season progresses.

NEXT: Lander

Musing on 2017 S.C. college baseball schedules

Barring some late changes, the 2017 schedules for 30 of the state's 31 college baseball teams are in the calendar listed below.  Morris is the only school I'm missing.

Here are some of the things I've noticed during schedule entry:

* The move from the Big South Conference to the Sun Belt has cost defending national champion Coastal Carolina some dates against other South Carolina schools. The Chanticleers have just six games scheduled against in-state NCAA Division I teams -- three with College of Charleston and one each with Clemson, The Citadel and Winthrop. South Carolina, like Coastal a preseason Top-25 team, and former Big-South foes Charleston Southern and Presbyterian are not on the Chanticleers' schedule.

* College of Charleston also plays just four other state schools, but have a 10-game total. The Cougars, who bolted the Southern Conference for the Colonial Athletic Association a few years back, have a total of 10 games against in-state teams -- three apiece against Coastal Carolina and The Citadel and two apiece with Charleston Southern and Clemson.

* Charleston Southern, South Carolina, The Citadel and Wofford play eight of the other 10 NCAA Division I programs in the state. Clemson, Presbyterian and Winthrop play seven others, Furman plays six others and USC Upstate plays five others.

* The Citadel has the most games scheduled against other state schools -- 17. Wofford plays 16 while Charleston Southern, Furman and Presbyterian play 15.

* Among NCAA Division II and NAIA teams, North Greenville plays the most other in-state schools -- nine of 15 -- and Erskine plays the most games vs. in-state schools -- 19.

* For the first time since 2010 Clemson won't make a visit to Western Carolina. Former Clemson coach Jack Leggett  frequently rewarded one of his former head coaching stops with a visit.

* For the second straight season South Carolina and North Carolina will meet at BB&T Ballpark in downtown Charlotte. The Tar Heels rolled last season, 15-0.

 * Every DI team wants to make it Omaha's TD Ameritrade Park, home of the College World Series. Winthrop will do it this year. The Eagles have a three-game series against Creighton, which plays its home games at TD Ameritrade Park. The Creighton campus is just a few blocks away. A tip to the Eagles traveling party: lots of good restaurants in the Old Market area of downtown Omaha.

* There are several neutral-site games scheduled for The Ripen Experience in Myrtle Beach, Lexington County Ballpark and Fluor Field in downtown Greenville. Fluor Field is adding some seats atop the mini-Green Monster in left field.

* Guilford Tech and Pitt community colleges in North Carolina have dropped from Division I to Division II of NJCAA Region 10 baseball. That leaves six schools, with Louisburg being the only one not in South Carolina. Others are Florence-Darlington Tech, Spartanburg Methodist, USC Lancaster, USC Salkehatchie and USC Sumter. Since all eight teams have qualified for the region tournament in the past, there will have to be some scheduling revisions. I don't know if having just six teams in Division I will cost Region 10 its usual second berth in the Eastern District Tournament., but I believe Regions 15 and 20 are still smaller.

* Florence-Darlington Tech is again hosting several snowbird teams for full days of games on consecutive weekends.

* Claflin and North Greenville join host Francis Marion in a round robin format the opening weekend of February,

* USC Upstate and Wofford again will have a mix-and-match weekend with several visiting teams the last weekend in February.

Baseball is just around the corner

Erskine baseball players go through a practice session early Wednesday afternoon
in Due West. (PalmettoStateBaseball.com photo)

One of the perks of being retired is the freedom to leave on a whim for a day trip. We left with no particular destination in mind on Wednesday and wound up eating at a restaurant I'd read about on the Internet. I saw from road signs that we weren't far from Due West, so we drove over to ride through the Erskine campus. I found Grier Field and saw that the Flying Fleet baseball team was having practice. Hence, the photo.

I'm mulling my options for 2017 ... and want your input

Happy New Year, folks.

I really intended to do more writing during the off-season than I did -- which turned out to be practically nothing.

As the season approaches I'm trying to decide which direction to go in 2017.

For the last several seasons I've tried to get every college baseball score in the state every day and also provide links to boxes or stories on each game. In addition, I tried to post in-game updates on Twitter.

Almost every school in the state do a great job of making their scores available. There are a handful that getting scores/updates from almost takes an act of Congress.

The labor-intensive work needed to make frequent updates evolved into me sitting in front of the computer for 11 or 12 hours each Saturday and several hours most other days. It was keeping me from really enjoying my favorite sport in the midst of its seaason.

I don't think I can keep that up. It's not worth it physically or financially. The only income I get from this site is from ad clicks, and I get far less than $100 per season from that.

So, I'm considering some cutbacks.

I hope to publish a daily schedule again this year, but there may be days when I give up on chasing all the scores until the next day.  I'm planning to quit posting links to game stories in the calendar. I'm hopeful of continuing to link to boxes.

I intend to do the weekly team rankings and team of the week. Standings and things such as weekly conference player honors are among the things I'm considering dropping.

Here's where I need your help. What new things would you like to see me do on this site. What items that I currently do would you wish I could discontinue?

Please make your suggestions in the comments section of this post, or e-mail me at RudyJones@PalmettoStateBaseball.com.

Thanks! I look forward to your input.