South-Carolina
Softball Kicks off SEC Play at Beckham Field Against Tigers
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina softball staff opens SEC play at dwelling in opposition to LSU March 11-13. All three video games of the sequence can be broadcast on the SEC Community. Saturday’s first pitch can be at 6 p.m., Sunday at 4 p.m., and Monday at 7 p.m.
Throughout Saturday’s recreation, the athletic division in partnership with College of South Carolina First Woman Ero Aggelopoulou-Amiridis, the College of South Carolina Board of Guests and the Gamecock Pantry will host a set drive to assist the Gamecock Neighborhood. Followers are requested to deliver non-perishable meals gadgets and college provides to drop off in assortment bins subsequent to the ticket tent. For extra info on the Gamecock Pantry, click on right here.
On Saturday, the Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Discipline will have a good time its tenth birthday with a celebration for all these in attendance! Following Sunday’s recreation followers can be invited on the sphere to run the bases, in addition to a postgame autograph session with the staff on the sphere. Previous to Monday’s, the SEC Champion girls’s basketball staff can be acknowledged and Victaria Saxon will throw out the primary pitch.
South Carolina Gamecocks 21-2, 0-0 SEC
Coach: Beverly Smith | thirteenth Season
AVG Chief: .431 | Brooke Blankenship
RBI Chief: 22 | Riley Blampied
Residence Run Chief: 5 | Jordan Fabian
ERA Chief: 0.98 | Donnie Gobourne
Strikeout Chief: 57 | Donnie Gobourne
Wins Chief: 5 | Three Tied
Collection Historical past: LSU leads 51-19
Final Assembly: LSU 8, South Carolina 0 | April 16, 2022 | Baton Rouge, La.
#14 LSU Tigers 20-1, 0-0 SEC
Coach: Beth Torina | twelfth Season
AVG Chief: .471 | Danieca Coffey
RBI Chief: 32 | Taylor Pleasants
Residence Run Chief: 8 | Taylor Pleasants
ERA Chief: 0.63 | Sydney Berzon
Strikeout Chief: 44 | Ali Kilponen
Wins Chief: 7 | Sydney Berzon
LEADING OFF
- The 2023 season would be the fiftieth season of Carolina Softball.
- The Gamecocks are thirty fourth in the latest RPI.
- Carolina at 21-2 is off to its greatest begin since 2018, when in addition they began 21-2.
- Head coach Bev Smith earned her four-hundredth profession win final Thursday in opposition to UNC.
- She turned the twenty ninth lively head coach in Division I to amass 400 profession victories whereas solely teaching at one college.
- The Gamecock offense ranks eighth within the nation in scoring per recreation (7.61 runs).
- As a staff, Carolina leads the SEC in doubles (42) and are third within the nation.
- In addition they lead the SEC in stolen bases per recreation (2.74).
- Within the nation, they’re thirteenth in doubles per recreation (1.83) and fourth in walks (93), eighth in on-base% (.444), seventh in successful proportion, ninth in stolen bases per recreation, thirteenth in fielding and fifteenth in slugging (.565), nineteenth in batting common (.330) and Ok’s-BB (4.08).
- Donnie Gobourne leads the nation in strikeouts per 7 innings (13.9). She additionally ranks 53rd in complete strikeouts with 57.
- Her 4 saves rank fourth within the nation and first within the SEC.
- Jen Cummings leads the nation in complete HBP (11) and is sixth in per recreation (0.48).
- She ranks among the many NCAA leaders in seven totally different classes.
- She is eighth within the nation in on-base% (.605).
- She ranks 77th in slugging proportion (.755) and 71st in walks per recreation (0.7)
- Cummings and Marissa Gonzalez rank twenty fifth within the nation in complete doubles (7).
- Gonzalez ranks 119th within the nation in doubles per recreation (0.32).
- Karsen Ochs ranks twenty third within the nation in strikeout-to-walk ratio (10.0) and twenty fifth in walks per 7 innings (0.62)
- In opposition to Mercer (Feb. 24), the Gamecocks hit back-to-back-to-back dwelling runs for the primary time beneath Bev Smith.
- In opposition to Tennessee Tech (Feb. 25), the Gamecocks hit 4 dwelling runs, which had been essentially the most since 2020.
- The 21 runs scored in opposition to TTU had been essentially the most since 2016.
- Haley Simpson hit a house run in opposition to WKU (Feb. 19), her first dwelling run in practically three years (1,086 days) after lacking the final two seasons resulting from harm.
- The Gamecocks performed 5 consecutive days (Feb. 15-19) for less than the second time in program historical past. They performed six straight days in 1987 (March 10-15; 14 video games).
- The roster options 25 complete gamers, with of seven totally different states represented.
THAT’S…INTERESTING!
- Brooke Blankenship hit an inside-the-park dwelling run in opposition to Campbell on Feb. 11. It was the primary inside-the-park dwelling run since Alaynie Web page on February 14, 2015, in opposition to the School of Charleston.
- South Carolina can have not less than one student-athlete from the state of California for the Twenty seventh-consecutive yr courting again to 1994. Sophomores and California natives Marissa Gonzalez and Emma Sellers may proceed the custom on for 3 many years.
- Carlie Henderson gained’t be the primary in her household to realize at a excessive degree in sports activities. Her grandpa, Billy Shaw, performed soccer at Georgia Tech and went on to play offensive line for 9 years with the Buffalo Payments earlier than being inducted into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1999. Her father, Chip, performed baseball at Shorter College and has been the baseball head coach at Calhoun Excessive Faculty for 26 years. He’s gained greater than 600 video games with three state titles (and had eight gamers drafted into MLB).
- Brooke Blankenship and Giulia Desiderio have truly performed for volunteer assistant coach Kevin Maguire earlier than. Their journey ball staff was coached by Maguire and was based mostly out of Tampa, Fla.
- Sophomores Natalie Heath and Olivia Prepare dinner have been greatest pals since elementary college. Though they attended totally different excessive faculties, the 2 joined the Gamecocks for the 2022 season.
OUCH…THAT HURT!
- The Gamecocks have three gamers listed among the many present lively NCAA leaders in hit by pitches.
- Natalie Morgan ranks thirteenth in DI and twenty fifth total with 25.
- Jordan Fabian ranks seventeenth in DI and thirty first amongst all Divisions with 33.
- Jen Cummings ranks twenty fifth in DI I with 27.
JUST WALK ON BY…
- Jordan Fabian ranks thirty fifth amongst lively profession leaders in Division I for walks with 78.
IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME
- South Carolina is 232-111 (.676) at dwelling through the Beverly Smith period, which features a 4-1 file at dwelling whereas internet hosting a regional at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Discipline.
- Carolina has completed .500 or higher at dwelling eight of Beverly Smith’s 12 years.
- Previous to 2021, South Carolina had not misplaced double digit video games at dwelling in seven years and has gained 20 or extra six of the previous seven seasons (2020 included).
GAMECOCKS VS. RANKED OPPONENTS
- South Carolina is 150-364-1 (.292) in opposition to opponents ranked within the NFCA prime 25 since 1995.
- Damaged down by website, the Gamecocks are 72-124 (.367) at dwelling, 36-167 (.177) on the highway and 43-72-1 (.375) in neutral-site outings.
- In 2022, the Gamecocks went 4-22 in opposition to ranked opponents. Incomes victories over #13 Kentucky, #15 Georgia, #19 Auburn, and #24 UCF.
For the most recent on South Carolina Softball, go to GamecocksOnline.com or observe the staff’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockSoftbll, Fb /GamecockSoftball, and Instagram @GamecockSoftball.
South-Carolina
Alabama-South Carolina free livestream: How to watch SEC basketball game, TV, schedule
The No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide play against the South Carolina Gamecocks in an SEC basketball game tonight. The matchup will begin at 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
The Crimson Tide enter this matchup with a 12-2 record, with six consecutive wins. In their most recent game, the Crimson Tide defeated No. 12 Oklahoma 107-79.
During the victory, Mark Sears led the Alabama offense. He ended the game with 22 points, and he shot 11-13 from the free throw line. Sears only shot 5-13 from the field, so he will look to improve his offensive efficiency tonight.
The Gamecocks enter this matchup with a 10-4 record, but are coming off an 85-50 loss against Mississippi State.
During the loss, South Carolina struggled offensively. The team shot less than 30% from the field and less than 11% from three-point range.
Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
South-Carolina
How to watch: No. 5 Alabama basketball at South Carolina
How to watch: No. 5 Alabama basketball at South Carolina
A blowout win over Oklahoma in Alabama’s SEC opener was great to see, but Nate Oats is interested in learning how his team’s success will translate on the road in conference play. The head coach will get his wish this week as the No. 5 Crimson Tide travels to South Carolina on Wednesday before visiting No. 10 Texas A&M on Saturday.
“Looking forward to our first conference road game,” Oats said. “These are games where you find out if your team is going to be able to compete for a championship or not.”
First up for Alabama (12-2, 1-0) is a matchup against South Carolina (10-4, 0-1). The Gamecocks will be looking to shake off an ugly start to SEC play after suffering an 85-50 defeat to Mississippi State over the weekend. Alabama is currently a 10.5-point favorite heading into the matchup. However, Oats is expecting to face a much better South Carolina team when the Tide takes the court inside Colonial Life Arena on Wednesday night.
“This is a team that has beaten Clemson at home,” Oats said. “They’ve been a little bit up and down. Obviously, they didn’t play well against Mississippi State – we all saw that score. But I think we should expect a team more like what played Clemson than what played Mississippi State. Coming off that loss, I’m sure Coach Paris will have them ready to go.”
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Alabama’s first SEC road game of the season.
How to watch
Who: No. 5 Alabama (12-2, 1-0) vs. South Carolina (10-4, 0-1)
When: 6 p.m. CT, Wednesday, Jan. 8
Where: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia S.C.
Watch: SEC Network (Play-By-Play: Dave Neal, Analyst: Ron Slay)
Listen: Crimson Tide Sports Network | SIRIUS/XM 134/201 (Play-By-Play: Chris Stewart, Analyst: Bryan Passink, Sideline: Roger Hoover)
Alabama’s projected starters
Mark Sears: 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, graduate
Stats: 18.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.4 apg, 40.5% FG, 33.3% 3-pt
Labaron Philon: 6-foot-4, 177 pounds, freshman
Stats: 12.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.0 apg, 53.5% FG, 28.3% 3-pt
Jarin Stevenson: 6-foot-11, 215 pounds, sophomore
Stats: 4.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.9 apg, 35.0% FG, 20.9% 3-pt
Grant Nelson: 6-foot-11, 230 pounds, graduate
Stats: 13.1 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.9 apg, 55.9% FG, 28.6% 3-pt
Clifford Omoruyi: 6-foot-11, 250 pounds, graduate
Stats: 7.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 0.7 apg, 73.6% FG
South Carolina’s projected starters
Jamarii Thomas: 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, senior
Stats: 12.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.5 apg, 37.4% FG, 36.8% 3-pt
Jacobi Wright: 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, senior
Stats: 8.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 41.3% FG, 41.0% 3-pt
Zachary Davis: 6-foot-7, 200 pounds, junior
Stats: 9.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.4 apg, 45.7% FG, 28.1% 3-pt
Collin Murray-Boyles: 6-foot-8, 245 pounds, sophomore
Stats: 15.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 61.8% FG, 33.3% 3-pt
Nick Pringle: 6-foot-10, 220 pounds, graduate
Stats: 10.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 66.7% FG
Alabama’s rising young star
At this point, the only reminders that Labaron Philon is still a freshman are the conference awards he continues to rack up. The starting guard certainly hasn’t been playing like a first-year player.
Philon earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors for a second straight week, following a strong performance against Oklahoma over the weekend. The Mobile, Alabama native recorded 16 points on 5 of 10 shooting against the Sooners, tallying five assists, four rebounds and a pair of steals. It marked his 10th double-digit scoring performance and the fifth time he posted five or more assists in a game. Philon now leads the conference with three SEC Freshman of the Week Awards this season.
Following Tuesday’s practice, Oats was asked what he’s seeing from Philon now that he wasn’t seeing when the guard first joined Alabama over the summer.
“That’s a good question because he was pretty good in the preseason,” Oats responded. “He’s definitely got some experience. I think he understands that every play matters. … He’s starting to realize that the margin for error at this level is pretty thin, so every play matters — both offense and defense.”
Nelson’s improved numbers
Mark Sears gets more attention, but the other returning starter from last season’s Final Four run is putting up some impressive numbers as well. Grant Nelson logged his fourth double-double of the season against Oklahoma, scoring 12 points to go with 11 rebounds while also chipping in a pair of blocks and steals.
The graduate forward’s double-double tally should be even higher. He finished one rebound away from the feat during wins over North Carolina and Rutgers and a point away in the win over Kent State. Nelson also finished two rebounds away from a double-double in victories over South Dakota State and Illinois.
Nelson currently leads Alabama with 8.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while ranking second on the team averaging 13.1 points. He is making 55.9% of attempts from the floor, including 28.6% from beyond the arc. Each one of those stats is an improvement from last year when he was battling through some bumps and bruises while adjusting to an increased level of play following his transfer from North Dakota State.
“I think he’s been a lot more aggressive on the glass. I think he’s just being more assertive. He’s getting to the rim,” Oats said. “He’s been shooting the 3 a little bit better here the last week or two. If we can get him to keep his foot on the line he’s have three more 3s the last two games, but he has been shooting it better. We’re trying to post him a little more because he can pass out of it. He was turning it over a month or so ago, he’s done a better job of that, not turning it over when we post him.”
While Nelson’s post play has improved, the addition of Rutgers transfer center Cliff Omoruyi has allowed him to play more at his preferred four position. That’s given Nelson more opportunities to use his 6-foot-11 frame to his advantage against smaller competition.
Short-handed South Carolina
The Gamecocks will be down a starter on Wednesday night, as Myles Stute was ruled out indefinitely with a left lower leg deep vein thrombosis (blood clot). Stue has started all 14 games for South Carolina this season, averaging 5.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He will likely be replaced in the starting lineup by Zachary Davis or Morris Ugusuk.
Game notes
— Sears became the fifth player in program history with 1,500 points and 200 three-pointers in their Alabama career.
— Since the start of last season Alabama has scored 100 points or more in 14 games, which ranks No. 1 throughout Division I.
— Since Oats arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2019-20, Alabama is tied with Kentucky for a league-best 63 wins during SEC play.
— South Carolina has made 10 or more 3-pointers four times this season, winning each one of them.
— The Gamecocks have eight South Carolina natives on their roster, including former Alabama player Nick Pringle.
— South Carolina is 11-1 when shooting 50% or better under third-year head coach Lamont Paris. That includes a 3-0 mark this season.
South-Carolina
Capitals re-assign forward prospect Zac Funk to ECHL South Carolina Stingrays
Washington Capitals forward prospect Zac Funk was re-assigned to the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays on Tuesday.
Funk, who began the 2024-25 season in the AHL, hasn’t suited up in a game with the Hershey Bears since December 22 and was without a point in his last five appearances.
Funk, playing in his rookie season professionally, was scratched in Hershey’s first seven games of the year before carving out a regular spot in the lineup in November and December. The 21-year-old winger played in 13 games and scored his first AHL goal and registered his first AHL point on November 16 against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Funk registered only one other point, an assist, on November 30 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before eventually being subbed out of the lineup.
“Every player has to show us as an organization that you are gonna earn a spot on this team,” Todd Nelson said earlier in the season. “We’re the Hershey Bears. You have to earn your spot here. It’s just the way it is. We have to let the chips fall as they may.”
Funk will join fellow Capitals forward prospect Alexander Suzdalev in the ECHL. Suzdalev, who was sent to the Stingrays on October 31, has 18 points (7g, 11a) in his first 19 games with South Carolina.
Funk is in the Capitals organization after leading the entire CHL in goals during his final season in junior hockey. Funk scored 67 goals as he played on the same line with Capitals’ 2024 first-round pick Terik Parascak with the Prince George Cougars.
Funk signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Capitals on March 1.
Here’s the press release from the Hershey Bears:
ZAC FUNK RE-ASSIGNED TO SOUTH CAROLINA
Rookie has three points in 13 games with Hershey
(Hershey, PA–Jan. 7, 2025) – The Washington Capitals, the National Hockey League affiliate of the Hershey Bears, announced today that the club has re-assigned forward Zac Funk to the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays. The announcement was made by Washington senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick.
Funk, 21, has skated in 13 games with Hershey this season, posting three points (1g, 2a). He tallied his first career AHL points on Nov. 16 at Lehigh Valley, scoring a goal and an assist in a 6-3 win.
He recorded 123 points (67g, 56a) in 68 games with the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League (WHL) last season. Funk led the WHL in goals, power-play goals (31), plus/minus (+56) and ranked second in points and fourth in shots (323). He had eight hat tricks while serving as an alternate captain for Prince George, and he was named a finalist for WHL Player of the Year. In the playoffs, Funk posted 18 points (8g, 10a) in 15 games with the Cougars.
Funk was signed by the Capitals on March 1, 2024 to a three-year, entry-level contract.
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