May 19, 2003

COLUMBIA, S.C.- South Carolina left-hander Matt Campbell was named the Louisville Slugger National Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season by Collegiate Baseball News and SEC Pitcher of the Week for the third time this year. He is the first player in SEC history to win the award three times in one season. The sophomore from Simpsonville, S.C. struck out 13 batters and allowed just two hits in seven innings. South Carolina won the game 5-2 to close out the regular season.

Campbell struck out seven of the first nine batters he faced. His 13 strikeouts were a career high, surpassing his old mark of nine in eight innings Feb. 23 against Duquesne. After the Duquesne game Campbell earned his first National Pitcher of the Week award.

In the final regular season polls announce today, South Carolina garnered 14th and 17th in the Collegiate Baseball News and Baseball America, respectively. The Gamecocks finished the regular season with a 38-18 overall record and claimed the SEC East title with a conference record of 19-11.

South Carolina will open the SEC Tournament on Wednesday, May 21st, at 2:00 p.m. as the number two seed. The Gamecocks will meet the seventh seeded Alabama Crimson Tide in Hoover, Alabama.