From: Cole
Well, we thought one victory for the Gamecocks at Florida this weekend would be a success. A series win that includes a Friday night thumping must have Coach Tanner ecstatic. Don't get us wrong, Florida is still the most talented team in the nation and will be right in the thick of things in Omaha. But, the most talented team is not always the best team, and the reigning National Champs showed what they are made of. Now USC must hold serve and take 2/3 at home against #2 Vanderbilt in a few weeks to take the SEC East. Other than the wins, the biggest upside of the weekend was freshman Forrest Koumas's Saturday start. The one glaring weakness for Tanner's squad thus far is the starters after Michael Roth. Add Koumas in with Steven Neff's outing versus Georgia, and there is the potential for a deep rotation.
clemmon's gut check did not go so well. NC State was 1-5 heading into the weekend and took 2/3 from the tigers. Kevin Brady's injury becomes more disruptive each weekend, and the search for a replacement continues. Dominic Leone continued to struggle and was no better than the man he replaced, David Haselden. The bright note was Scott Firth's second quality start in a row, which gives Coach Leggett 3 quality arms whenever Brady returns. Remember, clempsen was awful at the beginning of conference play last year, only to make it to the National Semifinals. It could happen again, but they better get it going soon, and an upcoming trip to 7-2 North Carolina is becoming a must win if the squad hopes to host a regional.
