South-Carolina
South Carolina finishes off Salute the Troops Weekend with win over Air Force
Off the bat, it looked like a flyout to right field, and perhaps on most days, it would have been. But not with the wind blowing out, and certainly not with South Carolina’s hottest hitter at the plate.
With winds gusting to around 16 miles per hour, Will Craddock’s fly ball turned into something more. It kept carrying as Air Force right fielder Brooks Burdine drifted back to the wall, looking confused about what had just happened.
“I can pretty much judge when a ball is going to be gone or not, after being as old as I am and seeing so many balls hit through the years,” head coach Paul Mainieri said. “But I thought Will crushed it, and he told me, ‘When I hit it, there was no doubt it was gone.’ We were fortunate it went out.”
Instead, the seemingly routine flyout turned into a leadoff home run for Craddock, who has now accomplished that feat in back-to-back games. It helped get the Gamecocks off to another good start in a 4-2 win over Air Force to wrap up Salute the Troops Weekend on Sunday.
Your GamecockCentral membership starts at just $1 – and we’ll throw in a complimentary year of access to The Athletic.
Craddock’s first week of college baseball couldn’t have gone much better as the freshman first baseman went 8-for-15 (.533) with two homers and six RBI. He finished 2-for-4 with a solo shot and a double in the weekend finale.
The Gamecocks (6-2) didn’t have their best day at the plate, but they did enough early to create some breathing room. They broke out for three more runs in the second inning, starting with an RBI single by Beau Hollins, who went 2-for-2 and reached base in his three plate appearances.
Luke Yuhasz later grounded out to third base with no outs to bring home Hollins. After another base hit for Craddock, Patrick Evans laced an RBI double down the left-field line.
“I really attribute it to outstanding relief pitching by (Air Force),” Mainieri said on the lack of run scoring after a fast start. “They had really good relievers, and we had really good relievers, and the conditions were really difficult to hit in. So there wasn’t much scoring after his first couple innings. I just thought our bullpen just did a tremendous job, and we did just enough to win. So it was a gritty, hard-fought win for us.”
Brandon Stone didn’t give the Gamecocks much length in his second start of the year, largely because of a 34-pitch first inning. As a result, the right-hander lasted only three innings, allowing one run while striking out five and walking two. But the bullpen did its job in picking him up.
Logan Prisco gave up one run in 1.1 innings of work and walked one over 35 pitches. Zach Russell allowed one hit and struck out two over 1.2 innings. Russell picked up his second win of the year and hasn’t given up a run in any of his three appearances so far this year.
“I’d say just attacking the zone, getting ahead,” Russell said on what’s worked best for him. “It’s a problem I kind of had last year. Just walks, not getting ahead. I’ve been throwing a new cutter that’s been working pretty good.”
Alex Valentin went the final three innings and picked up his second save of the year. He struck out three while allowing only one hit.
The left-hander has proven capable of pitching well in relief, but Mainieri isn’t entirely sure how the Gamecocks will use him moving forward, whether that means keeping him in the bullpen or shifting him into a different role.
“Alex is fearless. I mean, he’s got talent,” Mainieri said. “He throws up to 94 miles an hour left-handed, and he’s got a good slider and a good change-up, but the biggest thing of all is he’s fearless. … He thinks he can do anything out there, and I love that about him. He’s a great competitor, throws a lot of strikes. What’s not to like? I think he’s outstanding. I think he could handle any role we give him.”
Up next: South Carolina will host Queens on Wednesday evening at Founders Park. First pitch will be at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network+.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 19, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from April 19 drawing
Evening: 6-2-0, FB: 6
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from April 19 drawing
Evening: 6-7-6-3, FB: 6
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 19 drawing
Evening: 05
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
12-24-27-30-35
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
All that separated Connor Doyal from the biggest win of his amateur golfing career was 5 feet of perfectly manicured green on Hole No. 18 at Naples National Golf Club. That plus a super-sized case of the yips.
“My hands were shaking uncontrollably,” said the 26-year-old mid-amateur from Charleston, South Carolina. “But I’ve had some moments like this before, and I think I’ve just learned to let it happen and not fight it. I knew it wasn’t going to be the best stroke of my life, but in the moment, I just had to trust myself to make the putt.”
Advertisement
Just as he had for much of the third and final round of the 30th annual Terra Cotta Invitational, Doyal delivered, dropping in the putt to win the event by one stroke over 17-year-old junior golfer Dawson Lew of Toronto, Canada.
Connor Doyal, a 26-year-old mid-amateur golfer from Charleston, S.C., celebrates with the trophy after winning the 30th annual Terra Cotta Invitational on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Doyal, who entered the day two shots behind co-leaders Giuseppe Puebla of Royal Palm Beach and University of Florida senior Parker Bell, shot 5-under 67 to finish 12-under, two shots off the low-scoring record for the 54-hole tournament.
“Honestly, I just hit the ball fantastic start to finish,” Doyal said. “I hit a ton of greens and then the putter started heating up. I woke up feeling good this morning, and I knew I had it in me.
Advertisement
“Coming down the stretch, I had to battle. I’m just glad it’s over. I mean, the heart rate is still extremely high right now.”
Doyal had seven birdies in his final round, the best of which came on the par-4 No. 14. He used his six-iron to blast his second shot 220 yards to within inches of the cup, setting up a short putt that gave him a one-shot lead over Bell.
Doyal followed with a birdie on No. 15 to up his lead to two strokes, but made things interesting by shorting a putt on No. 17 for bogey.
Playing in a group just ahead of Doyel, Lew missed a 35-foot try for birdie on the par-5 No. 18 a smidge left to finish at 11-under after a final round 68.
Advertisement
Clinging to that one-shot lead on No. 18, an admittedly amped-up Doyal nearly overshot the green on his third shot from about 80 yards out, the ball settling on the back fringe. He followed with a deft chip, setting up his tournament-winning putt.
“It was a little bit nervy there, but I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Doyal said. “I’m always going to be able to look back at that up and down on 18 and be like I have what it takes when the pressure is on.”
Widely regarded as one of the best amateur events for junior golfers in the country, the Terra Cotta’s field included nearly the entirety of the top 25 in the Rolex American Junior Golf rankings. That included Luke Colton of Frisco, Texas, who was gunning for an unprecedented third consecutive Terra Cotta championship. The 18-year-old Vanderbilt commit came up short in his quest, finishing 3-under and in a tie for 21st place.
“I started off pretty bad, just kind of had a weird first day,” said Colton, who opened with a 2-over 74. “Nothing was going my way. But I was pretty happy with the way I ended it.”
Advertisement
Colton said the Terra Cotta is one of his favorite events of the season.
“You’ve got a great field and obviously an amazing course,” he said. “I think that’s why everybody wants to come and play at this tournament.”
Another top junior was a late and unreported entry to the Terra Cotta. Charlie Woods, son of golfing great Tiger Woods, got off to a rough start with an opening round 79, but shot a 3-under 69 in the final round to finish in a tie for 42nd place with a 3-over 219.
Among the five Naples-area competitors, former Gulf Coast High School standout and current University of Florida golfer Noah Kent had the best showing. The 20-year-old finished with a 2-over 218 for the tournament, placing him in a tie for 34th. The other local entrants were Spencer Ives (220), Brian Bassett (222), Jack Ryan Donovan (224), and Kaden Latrielle (229).
Advertisement
Contact Sports Reporter Dan DeLuca at ddeluca@usatodayco.com. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Connor Doyal wins Florida amateur event, Charlie Woods ties for 42nd
Columbia, Mo. — The South Carolina softball team (25-21, 4-13) dropped the second game of its series at Missouri (24-23, 7-10) 5-0 Saturday night (Apr. 18).
Kai Byars led the Gamecocks with a pair of doubles on the night. It was her second multi-hit game of the season and her first game with multiple extra base hits.
The Tigers scored a run in the third inning without the aid of a hit. They would extend the lead and add four more in the fourth.
Carolina’s best opportunity for a run came in third. Byars doubled to lead off the inning and Shae Anderson followed with a bunt single. A double play on a potential sacrifice fly ended the rally.
Emma Friedel (8-4) took the loss, allowing one run on no hits in 3 1-3 innings. She struck out six and walked three.
The rubber game of the series will be tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET.
-
Kentucky3 minutes agoVanderbilt baseball’s series win vs Kentucky revelatory
-
Louisiana9 minutes agoLouisiana shooter Shamar Elkins made chilling remarks about ‘demons’ weeks before killing his 7 kids and their cousin
-
Maine15 minutes agoA remote Maine town is ready to close its 5-student school
-
Maryland21 minutes agoMaryland Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for April 19, 2026
-
Michigan27 minutes agoMichigan Democrats seek to mend old divides at contentious convention
-
Minnesota39 minutes agoUCLA baseball remains perfect in Big Ten by beating Minnesota
-
Mississippi45 minutes agoMississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for April 19, 2026
-
Missouri51 minutes ago
Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for April 19, 2026