Jan. 7, 2010

Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina baseball team ranked No. 4 in the nation in average and total attendance for the 2009 season, it was announced. In the inaugural season at Carolina Stadium, the Gamecocks totaled 231,360 fans compiling an average of 6,804 fans in 34 contests. Both the marks set school records at South Carolina. This is the 10th consecutive season that South Carolina has ranked among the top 15 in the nation in attendance.

2009 NCAA Attendance Top 10 Ranked Schools
No.  Team            Dates   Attendance  Average1.  LSU         41  394,068         9,6112.  Arkansas    31  245,092         7,9063.  Ole Miss    39  273,111         7,0034.  South Carolina  34  231,360         6,8055.  Mississippi St  25  157,530         6,3016.  Texas           35  217,637         6,2187.  Clemson         36  170,156         4,7278.  Florida State   39  184,227         4,7249.  Texas A&M   35  142,660         4,07610. Alabama         29  116,294         4,010

The 2010 season opens on Friday, Feb. 19 with Carolina hosting Duquesne in the first game of a three-game series. South Carolina will host 33 games in the 2010 season.

Season tickets for the 2010 Gamecock baseball season are on sale now starting at $210. Call 800.4SC.FANS or click here to secure your season tickets.

South Carolina owns the longest current streak of NCAA Regional appearances among the 12 SEC schools with 10 straight trips to the tournament dating back to the 2000 season. In that span, Carolina has seven NCAA Super Regional appearances (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007) and three trips to the College World Series (2002, 2003, 2004). South Carolina is one of only seven schools in the nation to make at least seven NCAA Super Regionals in the last 10 years and one of only eight schools in the country to have reached the NCAA Regionals every season in this decade. The program’s 10-year total record of 468-201 is the fourth highest win total among NCAA Division I schools.

South Carolina head coach Ray Tanner is entering his 14th season at the helm with the Gamecocks and his 23rd year as a collegiate head coach. Tanner’s career record is 975-439-3 (.689) with a 580-266 (.686) mark at South Carolina. The .686 winning percentage is third highest in SEC history.