Bittersweet ending for Gamecocks

GREENVILLE, N.C. — It's quite possibly the most nauseating fact for South Carolina's baseball team, lost in the shuffle of how miserably Monday night went for the Gamecocks.

And, no, it's not even the fact that Clemson rallied late to win its regional. (Although that stings for fans, too, to be sure.)

No, it's that the 2010 season will begin precisely where the 2009 one ended in most horrific fashion.

That's right. East Carolina will host the Gamecocks in a season-opening series at Clark-LeClair Stadium, the return end of a home-and-home from 2008.

That's the very same Jungle that was purely electric after the Pirates rallied from an early 6-0 deficit to escape their own regional with a 10-9 victory in 10 innings.

"They have a great club and it wasn't just this weekend," South Carolina coach Ray Tanner said. "They've been doing it all year. They're tough to beat and it's tough to get 27 outs (against them)."

The Gamecocks managed to maintain control for 24 of them. But no more than that.

The game's biggest hits were both provided by ECU right fielder Devin Harris, who launched a game-tying three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth.

Senior reliever Curtis Johnson, his velocity way down since arm surgery last year, needed only three outs to keep USC playing in this tournament. He got those outs, but not until after Harris had inflicted the damaging swing.

Harris then delivered in the 10th against Gamecocks starter Sam Dyson, who had come in to try and retire one batter despite throwing 130 pitches in his start Friday.

His single glided into center field, and USC's Whit Merrifield couldn't get the ball home in time to prevent Kyle Roller from scoring the game-winning run from second base.

Some regional highlights from the Gamecocks simply have to be acknowledged, though.

Freshman outfielder Jackie Bradley was Mr. Everything for the team. He made countless sparkling plays in right, including two separate times in which he took home runs away by leaping up against the fence and reaching over.

Bradley was 9-for-18 with five RBIs in the regional. And he delivered the hit Monday that at least appeared like it would be enough to advance the Gamecocks.

His two-run home run in the eighth put USC ahead 9-6, six outs away from victory.

"Obviously a three-run lead is better than a one-run lead," Merrifield said, "but the way those guys swing the bat they're always going to be in it."

Bradley scored eight times in the regional, more than anyone else here.

Catcher Justin Dalles might've been the only player to put together a better weekend, statistically, than Bradley.

Dalles had a regional-high 11 hits, three more than ECU's Trent Whitehead, who did win the MVP honor. The first-year junior college transfer was 11-for-16 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in the team's four games.

And junior college shortstop Bobby Haney, who landed on the All-SEC team for his defense, showed he can hit, too. Haney was 9-for-18 on the weekend.

It was a most bizarre season for the Gamecocks (40-23), ending in an equally out-of-the-ordinary way.

Evidenced by the fact that those three players mentioned above are newcomers, this team had to get to know itself before it felt comfortable and confident on the field.

South Carolina started the season 28-17 before finding itself, winning 10 of 11 — and eight of nine in the SEC — to go from bubble team to NCAA lock.

A win or two away from being able to host its own regional, many felt East Carolina presented a winnable bracket. And it did. Until the ninth inning Monday night.

It was a tough way to go out for the team's seniors, those such as Johnson and third baseman Drew Crisp, who had tasted many better moments along the way.

Additionally, there are draft prospects that might have played their final innings at South Carolina. That includes players such as Dyson, Dalles and left fielder DeAngelo Mack,

"It doesn't feel good," Mack said, "but I'm proud of the way our team played. They battled all the way through and all the way through the season. A lot of people doubted us, and I'm glad how we played."

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the South Carolina blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/gamecocks.