March 27, 2002

COLUMBIA, S.C. – After two series against SEC rivals in the past two weeks, South Carolina returns to non-conference action on Wednesday when they host East Tennessee State University in a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Beckham Field. Last weekend, the 24th-ranked Gamecocks lost the series against fifth-ranked Louisiana State University 0-3.

The 21-11 Gamecocks faced the Buccaneers earlier this season in the Gamecock Invitational hosted by USC. Carolina won the game 8-0 on a mercy rule while ETSU went 0-4 in the tournament. The Buccaneers are 13-13 overall this season and went 1-2 in their last series against Southern Conference opponent Chattanooga. ETSU is currently ranked fourth in their conference and USC is ranked third in the SEC East.

Carolina is 17-6 against non-conference opponents and have swept four out of the five non-conference doubleheaders that they have played. The only loss came to North Carolina in Chapel Hill. The Gamecocks are 7-1 against non-conference teams at Beckham Field.

Up next for USC is a trip to Knoxville, Tennessee for a three-game SEC series April 2-3. Overall, Carolina is 11-7 against the Volunteers.