Feb. 20, 2003

Columbia, S.C. – The seventh ranked South Carolina baseball team (5-1) returns home this weekend for a three-game series with Duquesne beginning Friday afternoon at Sarge Frye Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 3 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday’s games to begin at 1:30 p.m.

Carolina is fresh off a 7-5 win at The Citadel on Wednesday evening. Gamecock pitchers tied a school record for strikeouts in a game vs. the Bulldogs, setting down 18 batters. Sophomore RHP Aaron Rawl set a career-high with 10 strikeouts in six innings earning his third victory in his third appearance of the season. Sophomore Matt Campbell earned his first save of the season in one and one third innings of relief. Campbell had five strikeouts, including a rare four strikeouts in the ninth inning. In addition to the pitching, the Gamecocks bats pounded out 14 hits, including a career-high four from Justin Harris. Landon Powell batted 3-for-4 and had his third double of the season.

South Carolina has come from behind to win four of five games this season vs. opponents. Junior OF Nick Gardiner currently leads the team in hitting with a .500 batting average (11-for-22). Carolina has had at least 10 hits in five of six games played this season. The team currently holds a .339 batting average.

This weekend’s series is the first of the 2003 season for Duquesne. Duquesne finished 26-23 last year with a 12-12 record in the Atlantic 10. The Dukes return six of nine position starters from last season.

The pitching matchups for this weekend are as follows.

Friday:
South Carolina: Jr. LHP David Marchbanks (2-0, 1.88 ERA)
Duquesne: Sr. RHP Jim Popp (3-3, 3.54 ERA-2002)

Saturday:
South Carolina: Fr. RHP Conor Lalor (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Duquesne: Jr. RHP Jesse Cramer (0-0, 10.13 ERA)

Sunday:
South Carolina: So. LHP Matt Campbell (0-0, 5.79 ERA)
Duquesne: TBA

Tickets for the USC-Clemson game on March 2 will go on sale Saturday afternoon inside Sarge Frye Field during the USC-Duquesne baseball game.