South-Carolina
South Carolina picks up midweek win over Gardner-Webb
It was easy to look ahead instead of focusing on what would come next. Another midweek game? No problem. There are more meaningful games to come.
But for a time on Tuesday, it wasn’t as easy as it sounded. After struggling early, No. 19 South Carolina (8-1) finally broke through to earn a 7-1 win over Gardner-Webb.
“We had to grind that one out. I thought their pitchers did a very nice job of using their stuff and keeping us off-balance and throwing their off speed pitches for strikes,” head coach Mark Kingston said. “So I tip my cap to them, but I also think our pitching and defense was at a very high level tonight.”
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Freshman right-hander Eddie Copper made his second start of the year for the Gamecocks. After working through the first inning, he gave up a solo homer to Gardner Webb’s Humberto Torres to begin the second.
After that, though, Copper started to pitch really well. He retired the next seven batters he faced in order before allowing a double in the fourth. But he managed to get two immediate ground outs to end that potential threat.
“I had all my pitches today, slider was working in the zone, out of the zone. I was able to locate my fastball on both sides of the plate,” Copper said. “My defense was playing amazing behind me. I mean, every ball hit to the left side was gobbled up by either (Will) Tippett or (Talmadge) LeCroy over there. Just having the confidence that if they do put the ball in play it’s going to be an out.”
Meanwhile, South Carolina struggled to put up any runs for Copper in the early going. The Gamecocks had a runner in scoring position with one out in the fourth but couldn’t get the job done.
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In the next inning, however, Dylan Brewer got on base with a one-out walk. He’d proceed to steal second and advance to third on a throw that sailed into the outfield. Ethan Petry and Cole Messina both followed suit with walks of their own to load the bases.
With LeCroy at the plate, he got hit by a pitch, giving South Carolina its first run of the night. The good situational baseball continued as Tyler Causey hit a sacrifice fly to bring home another run.
Parker Noland singled into center field to drive a third run in the frame. But the real blow came when Gavin Casas clobbered an 0-1 pitch into right field that left the ballpark entirely. It was a 429-foot, three-run homer that gave the Gamecocks a 6-1 lead.
“I was quite happy with it as was everybody,” Kingston said. “He’s been really swinging the bat well probably for his last 12 at-bats I would say. You kind of saw the light go on recently where I think it all started with that two-strike double he hit to left center field off the wall. Ever since that, he’s been really good. He’s been locked in…He’s been the Gavin Casas that he was last year.”
Petry came back up to the plate again and drew a bases-loaded walk to cap off what would be an impressive seven-run frame.
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Back on the bump, Copper delivered a terrific outing as he pitched five innings of one-run ball. He only gave up three hits and struck out five while walking one.
“For right now what he’s doing, he just needs to keep building on it,” Kingston said. “He’s comfortably our Tuesday guy right now. I mean, five innings on 61 pitches for a freshman is incredible. So we’ll just continue to run him out there in that role and let him continue to hopefully get better and better.”
Ty Good came on in relief in the sixth and retired the side in order. He’d come back out to start the seventh but a 19-minute rain delay caused him to take a minor break.
Once the delay was over and he came back out to pitch, he was in a tough jam. Runners on the corners with one out. But he got a strike out followed by a fly out to work out of trouble.
After Good’s night came to an end, Tyler Dean was next up to pitch in the eighth. While he gave up two hits, he worked through some trouble and got out unscathed.
In the ninth, Connor McCreery pitched a 1-2-3 frame to seal the deal and give South Carolina the win.
BOX SCORE: Gardner-Webb at South Carolina Box Score
Up next: South Carolina will begin a three-game series with No. 10 Clemson starting Friday night at Founders Park. First pitch is at 7 p.m. on SEC Network Plus. Eli Jones (1-0, 1.00 ERA) should be in line to make the start on the mound.
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 Jan. 3, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
18-21-40-53-60, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
Midday: 1-8-9, FB: 9
Evening: 0-5-1, FB: 0
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
Midday: 2-5-1-7, FB: 9
Evening: 3-9-5-0, FB: 0
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
Midday: 12
Evening: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
02-06-23-25-33
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
28-40-52-53-54, Powerball: 12
Check Powerball Double Play 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.
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 Dec. 28, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
Evening: 8-4-9, FB: 2
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
Evening: 5-6-2-0, FB: 2
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
Evening: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
03-10-14-21-34
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.
EDGEFIELD COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — A South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) officer was involved in a shooting early Sunday morning in Edgefield County.
SCDNR said their officer was shot at repeatedly but sustained no injuries.
Preliminary reports indicate a possible silver or light blue four-door sedan was the subject vehicle involved in the shooting, according to SCDNR.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating.
Anyone with information in this incident is asked to call (866)472-8477.
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