South Carolina, LSU square off at the Sarge

COLUMBIA, S.C. - LSU carries itself with a confidence matched by few other college baseball teams. South Carolina, says outfielder Brendan Winn, comes close.<br> <br> And Winn would know. He joined the Tigers program after four standout seasons at Merritt Island High (Fla.). After a stint in junior college, Winn&#39;s now South Carolina&#39;s right fielder.<br> <br> Winn and the Gamecocks, ranked as high as No. 3 nationally, host a three-game series with LSU, which comes in as the No. 1 team, according to Collegiate Baseball.<br> <br> The series opens the Southeastern Conference season for both schools.<br> <br> Winn&#39;s old and new clubs both ``take the field expecting to win,&#39;&#39; he said. The attitude is ``we got to go out there and give it all, like that,&#39;&#39; Winn said.<br> <br> So far, so good for both teams.<br> <br> South Carolina is 18-0, its second-best start since the 2000 club won 22 games to open the season before losing. LSU is 16-2 and on a five-game win streak.<br> <br> Gamecocks coach Ray Tanner expects standing-room only at Sarge Frye Field all three games.<br> <br> ``It&#39;s not like a (NCAA) or super regional because of what those games mean,&#39;&#39; South Carolina catcher Landon Powell said. ``But this is definitely a big series and one we&#39;ve been looking forward to.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> That&#39;s obvious, Tanner said. The Gamecocks have had some extra bounce during practices this week. Tanner spoke with his players about the excitement and said, as a former college third baseman at North Carolina State, he would like to get a swings in this weekend, too. Then Powell stood up and told him, ``You&#39;re probably not good enough,&#39;&#39; Tanner recalled.<br> <br> Winn says both teams don&#39;t need these marquee matchups to stay motivated. LSU and South Carolina, which both reached the College World Series last June, have the passion to get back there that carries them through each game. ``No one&#39;s loafing out there at practices,&#39;&#39; Winn said. ``Because we know what it&#39;s like to win games.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The Tigers were knocked out of the CWS, 11-10, by the Gamecocks last spring.<br> <br> Winn left LSU because he wanted more playing time. He said he was told he would be welcomed back to the Tigers by LSU coach Smoke Laval. But Laval hated to see ``a talent like yours wasted,&#39;&#39; Winn said. Winn went to Brevard Community College and St. Petersburg Community College before joining the Gamecocks.<br> <br> ``I really enjoyed being around the coaches,&#39;&#39; Winn said of LSU. ``They didn&#39;t tell us any lies. Winning program. I really loved it.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> South Carolina most likely won&#39;t have second baseman Kevin Melillo for the series, Tanner said. The junior was to have an MRI on Friday to determine what was causing pain in the area of his left wrist. If Melillo doesn&#39;t play, freshmen Tommy King or David Cash Jr., could get the call.<br> <br> The series promises to showcase some first-class pitching. The six projected starters are a combined 21-1 this season. The highest ERA of the group belongs to South Carolina&#39;s Billy Buckner at 3.21.<br> <br> Powell says Gamecock pitchers have gotten overlooked because the team&#39;s averaging better than 10 runs a game. ``We&#39;ve had four or five pitchers go lights out,&#39;&#39; Powell said. ``And that&#39;s hard to do in college baseball with aluminum bats.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Tanner thinks, whatever happens this weekend, his players will put the results in context of the whole season and not get too swayed by success or defeat.<br> <br> ``The way we played the last 18 games, I&#39;d say we&#39;re ready,&#39;&#39; Powell said. ``I don&#39;t have any doubts about our lineup, I don&#39;t have any doubts about our pitchers. We&#39;re capable of winning.&#39;&#39;