Rivalry heats up the diamond this weekend

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Posted 6:54PM on Friday, March 3, 2006

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) The roles are reversed this year South Carolina is the team short on experience heading into rivalry weekend. Last season it was Clemson that touted freshmen at key positions and the Tigers were swept in the opening home-and-home series. But as Brad Chalk, Stan Widmann and others gained experience, Clemson evened the series with two midweek wins later in the year. That's typical of this rivalry in recent years. Since 2000, the Gamecocks hold just a slight 13-11 edge. South Carolina (8-1) is the underdog this weekend against top-ranked Clemson (5-1), which first faces the College of Charleston on Friday before heading to Columbia. This year, it's Gamecock freshmen Justin Smoak and Reese Havens both products of Palmetto state high schools who get a taste of Tigers' ace Jason Berken (2-0) in the opening game Saturday. ``Berken is very good,'' South Carolina coach Ray Tanner said. ``He's going to shut a lot of teams down. I'm hoping that we can score a few runs. I am more concerned with how we'll respond and if we've matured in the first few weeks.'' Berken, who hasn't given up a run in nine innings, missed last year after elbow surgery. Now he's back to pitch before a sellout crowd. ``He's a competitive guy,'' Clemson assistant coach Tom Riginos said. ``He won't let the atmosphere affect his pitching.'' In addition to its youth, South Carolina has some uncertainty with left-hander Arik Hempy (0-1), slated to start Saturday. He left the Feb. 17 game against Radford after two innings with a blister on his middle finger, and hasn't thrown in a game since. He had five strikeouts in his previous outing, a 2-1 loss to Elon, and allowed two unearned runs and two hits. But he said he's ready to climb back on the mound and the middle finder key to his curve ball has healed. ``You're always hyped up to play Clemson,'' Hempy said. The Tigers' Stephen Faris (1-0), who hasn't given up a run in nearly 12 innings so far this season and is averaging about a strikeout an inning, will match up against Forrest Beverly (3-0) in Sunday's game at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson. Beverly has had at least six strikeouts in each of his three outings, and has just one walk. Both teams have been swinging the bat somewhat sluggishly, each averaging under .300, and it could come down to a pitcher's duel. ``You would expect runs to be at a premium,'' Tanner said. ``But you can never tell when these teams get together.'' Smoak has reached base seven consecutive times and the Gamecocks leading slugger Neil Giesler (.462) has a hit in six of seven games played. Cheyne Hurst has a team-high 13 hits. Tyler Colvin leads the Tigers with nine hits, four of them homers. Herman Demmink is right behind with eight hits and Chalk has six so far this year, but the team batting average is .277. ``We have confidence that we are going to start hitting,'' Riginos said. And they should get a boost because Taylor Harbin is expected to rejoin the lineup after hurting a hamstring trying to steal second in the Tigers' 8-1 season-opening win over James Madison. Hempy, a junior, said he hopes the newcomers aren't overwhelmed. They've already been in awe of some Sarge Frye Field crowds, but he warned, ``You guys haven't seen anything yet.'' ``You'll see guys standing where you never thought fans could get to when Clemson comes.'' Tanner said it's hard for him to keep emotions contained. ``I'm excited, as I always am,'' he said. ``I think it's very special that you can have packed houses at both places. ... This is why guys want to come here.'' (Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)