Pearce garners spot on All-America team
After a stunning two-year career as a Gamecock, senior first baseman Steve Pearce finished as a Second Team All-American according to Baseball America. Pearce, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association District IV Player of the Year, was USC's Triple Crown winner the past two seasons. This season, Pearce batted .358 with 21 home runs and 63 RBIs. He leaves Carolina with 42 home runs and 133 career RBIs.
Pearce was selected in the eighth round of the MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates after being named to NCAA All-Tournament Team in Atlanta and a Second Team All-SEC selection.
Track teams send 12 to vie for USATF title
Four men and eight women have been selected to compete at the USA Track and Field Senior and Junior National Championships in Carson, Calif., June 24-26. Men's team All-Americans juniors Rodney Martin Jr. and Leroy Dixon and freshman Jason Richardson, along with freshman sprinter Keith Hinnant will headline the Gamecock men traveling to Carson. The men's team finished 26th at nationals this past week.
All-Americans freshmen Natasha Hastings, Amberly Nesbitt, Stephanie Smith and Shalonda Solomon; juniors Tiffany Ross-Williams and Kemesha Whitmire; and seniors Erica Whipple and Khaliah Carpenter are the Gamecocks who will be competing on the women's side. The women's team came close to a second title but were edged out by Texas for the championship.
Softball team signs 3 for next year's roster
USC has inked three players for next season's softball squad, headlined by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American Christie Hamilton. Hamilton, a pitcher from Acworth, Ga., was the Gatorade Player of the Year for Georgia after finishing the season with a 0.18 ERA. The Gamecocks have also signed utility player Ashton Payne and catcher Ciera Jones. Payne, an All-Metro selection from Richmond, Va., plays summer ball with the Richmond Diamondbacks. Jones, an All-Regional, All-District, All-Metro honorable mention this year, is from Vienna, Va.
Fink hired as director of media relations
Steve Fink has been named USC's director of media relations. Fink, TCU's athletics media relations director for the past five years, joins his former boss, Eric Hyman, at USC.
"I'm excited to join the South Carolina family," Fink said. "I look forward to working with the outstanding administrators, coaches and student-athletes at USC."
Fink, who has worked with numerous athletic organizations, including the Kansas City Royals, joins the Gamecock staff July 18.
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