Feb. 16, 2011

Columbia, S.C. – Several pre-game festivities are planned for Opening Day on Friday at Carolina Stadium before the South Carolina and Santa Clara baseball game. Technical Sergeant Steve David, a recruiter in the South Carolina Air National Guard will perform the National Anthem with military representatives presenting the colors and the United States flag. The presentation will include a flyover by the United States Air Force. In addition, in recognition of the 2010 National Championship, there will be a brief video as well as the raising of the National Championship flag. 2010 All-America pitcher Blake Cooper will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and will be accompanied by former National Championship teammates Parker Bangs, Kyle Enders, Bobby Haney, Jeffery Jones, Whit Merrifield and Jordan Propst.

Tickets are still available for all three games of this weekend’s South Carolina-Santa Clara baseball series at Carolina Stadium. First pitch on Opening Day on Friday is 3 p.m. Saturday’s game will also start at 3 p.m. with Sunday’s first pitch set for 1:30 p.m. Fans may purchase tickets by calling the Gamecock Ticket Office at (803) 777-4274 or at the Colonial Life Arena Box Office. Reserved tickets are $10 with outfield/grandstand/standing room only tickets $8. Fans may also purchase their tickets on game day at the box office at Carolina Stadium. The box office will open on Friday at 1 p.m. at Carolina Stadium.

For Opening Day on Feb. 18 and for next Friday’s game vs. Southern Illinois, parking in the business lots will be curtailed based on the specific lots. Parking in lots 6; 7; 9 will be relocated to lot #1 for those patrons arriving before 5:00PM. Parking in business lots 4 and 10 will be allowed beginning at noon. Limited parking will be allowed in lot 8 beginning at noon on the Williams St. side of the building. Some parking may be permissible on the Huger St. side as long as it does not interfere with the loading dock and surrounded area. Others in lot 8 may be directed into Lot 1 on the corner of Blossom, Williams and Wheat St.

For interested individuals, season parking passes for $280 are still available at the USC ticket office for Lot 1; lot 4; lot 7; lot 9; lot 10. To view a parking map of the area please visit gamecocksonline.com. Click on Fan Zone and then proceed to Gameday Parking information and view the Baseball Parking web page, which also has information concerning Shuttle services and handicapped parking information.

Live video broadcast and live gametracker stats for all three games are available at GamecocksOnline.com. All three games can be heard on the Gamecock Radio Network including Carolina’s flagship station, 107.5 “The Game.”