News digest, Feb. 6

Lake to fill Moody's spot

Former Charleston Southern head coach and USC assistant Stuart Lake has been named as color analyst for Gamecocks radio broadcasts. My friend Teddy Heffner of Talking Sports in Columbia reported it last month and the news was shared by The State newspaper Tuesday.

Lake replaces former Gamecocks player and longtime announcer Tommy Moody, who died last year. Lake has served as analyst on Carolina radio and video streaming feeds in the past.

Derek Scott will handle the bulk of the play-by-play duties, with Cade Crenshaw filling in when Scott is obligated to Gamecocks basketball broadcasts. USC opens its season Feb. 16 against Miami (Ohio).

Bailey to manage Myrtle Beach

Buddy Bailey, a player, player-coach and later manager of the Greenville Braves in the 1980s, will manage the Chicago Cubs' Carolina League affiliate in Myrtle Beach this season.

Notes

USC Aiken has released notes for its second week of play. The Pacers were swept by UNC Pembroke last weekend.
Pacers

Rankings

USATODAY coaches preseason poll: 1. Wake Forest. 8. Clemson. 18. Coastal Carolina. 21. South Carolina

USA TODAY

PerfectGame.org JUCO: 1. Weatherford. 15. Gaston (NC).
JUCO

Honors

D1Baseball.com ranked South Carolina's Ethan Petry and Clemson's Cannarella 1-2 on its list of top outfielders in college baseball entering the 2024 season. I believe the entire list is behind its's paywall, so I don't feel comfortable posting it. The top 3 are on the free portion, so I think it's fair to report that. 

NCBWA preseason all-American

First team: OF: Ethan Petry, South Carolina. DH: Derek Bender, Coastal Carolina.

Second team: C: Caden Bodine, Coastal Carolina. 3B: Billy Amick, Tennessee (Clemson transfer). OF: Cam Cannarella, Clemson. SP: Reese Dutton, USC Upstate.

Third team: C: Cole Messina, South Carolina. Util: Cole Mathis, College of Charleston. 

Writers