The Gamecocks had their first scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday. While the heat and hits add up during camp, sometimes the team is able to take a step back and enjoy the process.

On Sunday the team got together for a film watching session to go over Saturday’s scrimmage. Coach Beamer stood in front of the team as footage rolled behind him.

“The strength of the team is every individual in here, correct? The strength of this team is every single individual in this room. And the strength of every individual is the team. So no matter what your role is rught now, no matter what your role is on August 31, we need every sinigle one of you.” Coach Beamer said to the team during a film session.

But what was different about today, rather than any normal film session, is Coach Beamer had a surprise in store for two players.

As film rolled on the screen, Coach Beamer highlighted the excellent play of walk-on Ronnie Porter during camp. Because he played so well, Coach Beamer decided to reward him.

“Cause Ronnie I’ve seen you do it on defense. I’ve seen you were a starter last year on special teams. Seen you make plays. Plays like this man,” Coach Beamer said pointing to the footage on the screen. “I love it. Look at that. I’m excited. And I’m so excited, I’m going to put you on scholarship.”

Ronnie Porter is a fourth year linebacker who joined the Gamecocks in 2021. Porter saw his first action in 2023 mostly as a special teamer, but did log three tackles and a quarterback hurry against Tennessee, Florida, and Vanderbilt.

But Coach Beamer wasn’t finished yet. After he settled the team down, he took a look at another walk-on who’s play has been undeniable this offseason. Bradley Dunn had a special surprise in store for him as well.

“Love the energy right here by Bradley Dunn. That’s what he does every single day that he’s been here in the five years that he’s been in this program and that’s why he’s on scholarship too,” Coach Beamer said to a hyped up Gamecocks team.

Bradley Dunn is a walk-on running back who originally joined South Carolina as a fullback in 2020. Dunn saw his first action in game for the Gamecocks last season, appearing in six games mostly on special teams. He carried the ball three times gaining eight yards.

South Carolina will get back to practice this week as they prepare for the second scrimmage of fall camp this coming Saturday.

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SUMTER, S.C. (WIS) – Baseball players hailing from all over South Carolina were battling it out on the diamond in Sumter starting Saturday for the 17th annual Palmetto Games.

The baseball showcase invites the top baseball players in the state to play against one another all weekend long in front of college and professional baseball scouts.

It didn’t rain on the festivities in 2024, as the weather from Tropical Storm Debby didn’t damper the fun on the diamond at Riley Park.

“(They) let us know how much (Riley Park) was getting in terms of water, so we could get the information out to the masses,” said Diamond Prospect’s Austin Alexander.

The Palmetto Games are put on by Diamond Prospects, an organization that’s covered high school baseball across South Carolina since 2006.

The Palmetto showcase consists of drills, workouts, batting practice, and multiple games throughout the weekend, all played in front of college and professional baseball scouts.

Alexander first put together the showcase after his son Nolan was born… and was encouraged by USC Athletic Director Ray Tanner to bring an event like this to the state.

“It is quite an honor for these guys to see their name in print when we send out the invitation list,” Alexander said, “We’ve had, over the course of 16 years, 230 players that have been drafted by a major league baseball team.”

Alexander’s son, Nolan, has helped his father at the event over the years and played in the showcase twice himself. The weekend-long scouting event helped finetune his pitching abilities, which led him to secure a roster spot on Lander University’s baseball team in Greenwood.

He enjoyed watching the next generation step up to the plate Saturday.

“It’s just really great knowing that I grew up with some of these kids to I played with them, I played against them. I love talking to kids and helping them get them to where hopefully I am.”

Many pro players have graced this talent show in previous years, including MLB players Alex Wood, J.P. Sears, and Jordan Montgomery.

The action on the diamond resumes again on Sunday, August 11th, where players will take part in three, nine inning games.

The full schedule of events in 2024 can be viewed online.

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