Feb. 10, 2005

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina baseball team opens its 2005 campaign on Friday, Feb. 11, with the first contest of a three-game series against Longwood University at Sarge Frye Field. Rob DeBoer, a former two-sport standout at USC (football and baseball), will throw out the first pitch at 3 p.m.

The game marks the first ever meeting between South Carolina and Longwood, which is entering its first year in Division I. The Lancers have a 1-4 record following a five-game set at Hawaii-Pacific last weekend.

The Gamecocks have won their last six season openers, dating back to 1999. Under head coach Ray Tanner, Carolina is 7-1, on opening day.

South Carolina is ranked as high as No. 6 in the polls this week.

Senior righthander Aaron Rawl (13-4, 4.28 ERA – 2004) has earned the starting nod on the mound for South Carolina. For Longwood, freshman John Farrell (0-0, 2.25 ERA – 2005) will make the start, his second of the season.

Rawl was the winning pitcher in the Gamecocks’ season opener against Charleston Southern in 2004. He started and struck out eight batters in six innings of work en route to a 3-2 win. Rawl, an All-American in 2004, is also tied for 10th on South Carolina’s career wins list heading into his final season.

In game two, righthander Zac McCamie (7-0, 3,10 ERA – 2004) is scheduled to start for the Gamecocks. He is expected to face sophomore southpaw Clay Horn (0-0, 2.70 ERA – 2005).

On Sunday, sophomore lefty Forrest Beverly returns to the mound after taking a medical redshirt last season, while freshman righthander Isaac Weiderman (0-1, 9.00 ERA -2005) is slated to start for the Lancers.

The series continues on Saturday, Feb. 12, with game two at 1:30 p.m. The finale is on Sunday, Feb. 13, at 1:30 p.m.

Live statistics will be available via Gametracker at www.uscsports.com.