Who's hot; who's not; March 20

 

Through Sunday's games

Sizzlin'

* Anderson (Last week: 3-1. Overall: 15-13. Streak: Won 5 of 6) - Up next: at North Georgia, Tuesday

* Charleston Southern (Last week: 5-0. Overall: 11-10. Streak: Won 6) -  The Buccaneers came within a couple of outs of being no-hit at Georgia in the first game of a March 11 doubleheader and they haven't lost since. On Saturday, they scored three runs in both the eighth and ninth innings to come from behind. They've scored in double figures in three of their last four. Up next: at The Citadel, Tuesday.

* Florence-Darlington Tech (Last week: 4-1. Overall: 27-5. Streak: 7-0 in Region 10) - Up next: Brunswick at home, Wednesday. 

* Newberry (Last week: 4-0. Overall: 22-4. Streak: Won 10, 16 of 17) - The Wolves are hitting a blistering .347 and  averaging 10 runs per game. Braylin Marine has 43 RBI in 26 games. Up next: at Coker, Tuesday

* North Greenville (Last week: 4-0. Overall: 24-2. Streak: Won 10) - Like Newberry, the Wolves are hitting .347 They didn't stumble during the brief absence of Marek Chlup to play in the World Baseball Classic. Clemson transfer David Lewis of nearby Blue Ridge High is batting .447 with 6 homers and 33 RBI. Up next: Lincoln Memorial, at home, Monday.

* South Carolina (Last week: 4-0. Overall: 20-1. Streak: Won 11) - The Gamecocks' dominance of Georgia looks good on an early resume that otherwise liberally sprinkled with average to below-average teams. USC has 56 homers and could match it 2022 season total of 58 this week.  Up next: Charlotte, Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte, Tuesday

* Spartanburg Methodist (Last week: 4-0. Overall: 18-8. Streak: Won 8) - Up next:  Patrick & Henry at home, Wednesday.

* USC Aiken (Last week: 2-2. Overall: 19-7. Streak: Won 10 of 12) - The Pacers won a head-to-head series with second-place Columbus State to keep the Peach Belt Conference lead. Up next: Coker at home, Wednesday.

* USC Sumter (Last week: 4-0. Overall: 16-8. Streak: Won 4) - The Fire Ants won four tight games over USC Union - three of them by one run. Up next: at Catawba Valley, Wednesday.

Shiverin'

* Benedict (Last week: 0-3). Overall: 6-9. Streak: Lost 7) - Up next: Morris at home, Monday

* Claflin (Last week: 0-5. Overall: 0-21. Streak: Lost 21) - The Panthers have cut down on the runs allowed in the last few games, but are still looking for coach Scott Nestor's first win. Up next: at Voorhees, Tuesday

* Coker (Last week: 0-4. Overall: 10-19. Streak: Lost 11 of 12) - Up next: Newberry at home, Tuesday.

* USC Salkehatchie (Last week: 0-4. Overall: 1-26. Streak: Lost 22) - Up next: at Cleveland CC, Wednesday.

* USC Union (Last week: 0-4. Overall: 9-14. Streak: Lost 9) - Up next: at Louisburg, Saturday

* Winthrop (Last week: 1-4. Overall: 9-12. Streak: Lost 6 of 7) - The Eagles had the misfortune of opening Big South Conference play against Campbell, the defending champions and favorites to repeat. Up next: at Clemson, Tuesday.

* Wofford (Last week: 0-4. Overall: 14-5. Streak: Lost 4) - I may have been a little severe in dropping the Terriers from second to fourth in the Palmetto State Baseball rankings. Two of the three losses to Xavier were close until the eighth inning or later. Up next: at Georgia Tech, Tuesday.