Dec. 23, 2008

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina sophomore right-handed pitcher Sam Dyson has been named to the Louisville Slugger 2009 Preseason All-America Team as announced by Collegiate Baseball on Tuesday morning. Dyson, a third-team choice, posted an 8-0 record in his freshman season for the Gamecocks including a win in the 2008 NCAA (Raleigh) Regional vs. Charlotte.

Dyson earned Freshman All-America honors last year and moved into the rotation late in the season with two of his top performances coming in May in postseason play. On the first day of the SEC Tournament, Dyson was strong vs. LSU as he limited the hot-hitting Tigers to just two hits in 6.2 scoreless innings of work. Despite a no-decision in the game, Dyson’s performance was one of the top pitching performances of the tournament and moved Dyson into the first game of the NCAA Regional vs. Charlotte. Against the 49ers, Dyson also worked a strong 6.2 innings on his way to a victory in the 15-8 win for Carolina.

Dyson finished the year 8-0 with a 4.09 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 50.2 innings pitched. Opponents batted just .238 against him on the year.

South Carolina opens the 2009 season on Saturday, Feb. 21 hosting a three-game series vs. Duquesne in its new baseball facility.

South Carolina is one of only five schools in the nation to have made seven NCAA Super Regional appearances over the last nine years (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007). In the previous nine seasons, Carolina owns the fifth highest total of wins in the country (428) and has won more SEC games than any team in the league (162). In addition, the Gamecocks have made nine consecutive postseason appearances, the longest current streak among the 12 SEC schools. South Carolina also has three College World Series trips (2002, 2003, 2004), two SEC championships (2000, 2002) and one SEC tournament title (2004) in that span.