University of North Carolina Athletics
No. 9 Tar Heels Meet No. 6 Gamecocks in Battle of the Border
March 30, 2004 | Baseball
March 30, 2004
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - After meeting in each of the last two postseasons, North Carolina (20-6, 4-2 ACC) and South Carolina (21-4, 2-4 SEC) meet for the first time in the regular season since 1988 in the Battle of the Border Wednesday at Knights Stadium in Ft. Mill, S.C. The Tar Heels have won 16 of their last 19 games, while South Carolina has dropped four of seven after opening the year 18-0. Ranked No. 9 by Collegiate Baseball, UNC took two of three from then-No. 12 Florida State last weekend, while USC dropped two of three at Arkansas. Action can heard on AM-1360 WCHL.
SERIES HISTORY
South Carolina leads all-time series, which began in 1903, 58-30-1. The Gamecocks have also won four of the five NCAA Tournament games in 2002 and '03, eliminating the Tar Heels from the postseason each year. Last year, South Carolina swept North Carolina, 2-0, in the Columbia Super Regional. In 2002, the Gamecocks won the Columbia Regional by defeating the Tar Heels, 3-1, in the title game. UNC last defeated USC, 8-4, on June 2, 2002. With the teams last six meetings coming in the postseason, the Tar Heels and Gamecocks last met in the regular season in 1988, with North Carolina sweeping a two-game set at Boshamer Stadium. The two teams met annualy when South Carolina was a member of the ACC from 1954-70.
SCOUTING SOUTH CAROLINA
The Gamecocks enter Wednesday's matchup batting .348 as a team and sporting a 2.45 team earned run average. Third baseman Steve Pearce leads the offense with a .417 average, 12 homers and 33 RBI. Catcher Landon Powell is batting .402 with 32 RBI, while left fielder Michael Campbell checks in with 10 homers and 30 RBI. In all, eight USC regulars are batting .333 or better. Freshman lefty Arik Hempy (0-1, 2.13 ERA) is scheduled to start for USC Wednesday. Out of the bullpen, Chad Blackwell has six saves in a team-high 14 appearances.
A LOOK AT THE STARTING PITCHERS
North Carolina: Whitley Benson (Sr., RHP): Benson makes his third start of the year against South Carolina. As a starter, Benson is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA. He has gone six innings in each start. On the year, he is 3-0 with a 1.07 ERA. Working mostly out of the bullpen, Benson ranks fourth on the team with 11 appearances this season. His start Wednesday will be the 97th appearance of his career, which ties Brad Woodall for third on the UNC career chart. He has made four career appearances against the Gamecocks, allowing four earned runs on six hits in 7.2 innings.
South Carolina: Arik Hempy (Fr., LHP): Hempy will make his first career start against the Tar Heels Wednesday. He is 0-1 on the year with a 2.13 ERA. He has tossed 12.2 innings on the year and has struck out 17 batters against just three walks.
CAROLINA CONTINES TOUGH SCHEDULE
With Wedneday's meeting with No. 6 South Carolina, North Carolina plays a nationally-ranked team for the seventh time in its last nine outings. Last weekend, the Tar Heels took two of three from No. 12 Florida State. UNC won two of three at then No. 19 Virginia March 19-21. The Tar Heels are 4-4 versus the top-25 this year.
CHARLOTTE-AREA TAR HEELS
Wednesday's game at Knights Stadium will be homecoming for several Tar Heels, as eight North Carolina players are from the Charlotte area. Included in this bunch are: Daniel Bard (Charlotte, Charlotte Christian HS), Mike Daniel (Charlotte, South Mecklenburg), Mark Griffin (Charlotte, Providence HS), Jonathan Hovis (Gastonia, Forestview HS), Greg Mangum (Charlotte, East Mecklenburg HS), Scott Manshack (Indian Trail, Piedmont HS), Tyler White (Charlotte, East Mecklenburg HS) and Robert Woodard (Charlotte, Myers Park HS).
