TheSunNews.com: Sports

Can USC break free of mediocrity?

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:06 EDT

Take an overview of South Carolina football this decade, and the term that comes to mind is average.

USC finished 7-6 last season. Since 2000, the Gamecocks have averaged 7.3 wins and 5.3 losses per season.

Never more than nine wins, and never less than five. Never more than seven losses and never less than four.

Wedgefield set to reopen today

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:08 EDT

The Marlowe family is taking another shot at Wedgefield Plantation in Georgetown.

About 2½ years after selling the course, the Marlowes have purchased it again and are reopening the 37-year-old Porter Gibson and Bob Toski layout today.

Its former owners - Baldy Builders Inc. owner David Privett and Arthur-Webster Real Estate owner Reuel Wheatley - closed Wedgefield last Dec. 15 and filed the course for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection after their planned townhome project around it never materialized in the economic recession.

Pelicans' additions starting to settle in

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:10 EDT

Moving up a level in minor league baseball has inherent pressures. You're trying to fit in with a new group of teammates and coaches, the competition is better, and a player can feel compelled to continue showing the promise that warranted the call-up.

Being called up to replace a player who is expected to be a star in the major leagues turns up the heat.

That's what Gerry Rodriguez and Luis Sumoza have faced over the past week since being moved up on July 3 from low-A Rome to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Rodriguez replaced Freddie Freeman at first base and Sumoza replaced Jason Heyward in right field after the two 19-year-old prodigies were promoted to double-A Mississippi.

Outdoors column: Local captain set to hit TV screen

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:00 EDT

If Capt. Englis Glover's bubbly personality shines through on a new saltwater fishing television show based out of Murrells Inlet, there will never be a dull moment.

Glover is the host of "Reelin Up The Coast," a 30-minute show that will debut at 9 a.m. July 19 on WWMB-TV 21. The show will run weekly in that time slot.

Glover operates Tee To Sea Fishing and Guide Service as his regular job, running a variety of charter trips out of Murrells Inlet from inlet fishing for spottails (red drum) to offshore trolling for dolphin and other big-game fish.

Auto racing column: Son beats dad to Victory Lane at

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:02 EDT

Sam Scarpelli has never won a race in 12 years of turning laps in a Limited Late Model stock car at Myrtle Beach Speedway. Nope, not even a heat race, where only half of the typically 10- to 12-car field competes.

"I can't explain what it would mean to win one," said the 53-year-old Pawleys Island resident. "But I was pretty happy [June 27]."

That's because his son, Samie, won his first career heat race. The 30-year-old Murrells Inlet resident is in his third year of racing, his first on a full-time basis.

Ask for a Ruling with Cory Armstrong

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:09 EDT

Q | If I take an unplayable lie and drop the ball, but it returns to its original position, what are my options?

- Jeff, Little River

A | Jeff, assuming that the ball did not roll into a position covered by Rule 20-2c, in which case re-dropping without penalty would be required, the ball is in play after you dropped it. Thus, if the ball came to rest in its original position, your options are (once again) to play the ball or invoke Rule 28 Ball Unplayable, incurring an additional penalty stroke.

Area, state fishing reports

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:17 EDT

FRESHWATER

Estuary

Look for | Flounder, red drum, spotted seatrout, black drum, sheepshead, bluefish

Choi opens with 68 for lead; McPherson tied for sixth

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:15 EDT

There's no denying this is the biggest week in women's golf - full of good news and bad.

The game's top-ranked player, a former champion and a developmental tour qualifier are one stroke behind a talented second-year LPGA player at the U.S. Women's Open, on a course that doesn't yield birdies easily.

All the while, controversy is swirling around the women's tour amid reports Thursday that LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens could be out of her job as early as next week after a faction of key players signed a letter calling for her resignation.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Mayfield case puts spotlight on NASCAR drug policy

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:17 EDT

Although NASCAR contends it has the best anti-doping procedures in sports, some experts see flaws in the policy and question whether drivers are getting a fair shake in the lab or a safe ride on the track.

The debate between outfits that run Olympic-style testing programs and leagues that enforce their own - NASCAR, baseball and the NFL among them - has been going on for a while, but it's taking on new relevance in the wake of Jeremy Mayfield's case against NASCAR.

NASCAR suspended the 40-year-old driver May 9, eight days after failing a random drug test. NASCAR has said Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamine, but he has denied ever using the illegal drug.

NASCAR notes: Mayfield considers selling race team

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:07 EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Unable to find funding since his suspension for failing a random drug test, Jeremy Mayfield is considering selling his race team.

Shana Mayfield said Thursday she and her husband are considering selling their remaining inventory because they don't have the cash to field a race team. Mayfield transferred ownership of the No. 41 Toyota to his wife following his May 9 suspension.

"We are looking at all options at this point, since we cannot get sponsorship," Shana Mayfield said.

Reports: LPGA's Bivens on way out

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:14 EDT

LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens reportedly is on the way out as leader of the tour after calls for her resignation by key players.

Golf Digest and GolfWeek Magazine reported on their Web sites Thursday that the embattled commissioner will be replaced.

Golf Digest cites multiple sources saying Bivens's four-year tenure could end as soon as next week.

golf roundup: Janzen, Stiles share lead at John Deere

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:15 EDT

Lee Janzen stirred some memories and was tied with Darron Stiles for the lead after firing a 7-under 64 in the first round of the John Deere Classic on Thursday.

Janzen has not won on the PGA Tour since he captured his second U.S. Open in 1998, yet he's in position after an impressive start at TPC Deere Run.

The 44-year-old was 8 under after birdies on the 16th and 17th holes and played bogey-free golf until the 18th, when he hit a bunker and missed an 8-foot par putt. He was off the course by the time Stiles sunk a seven-foot putt for birdie on the same hole to forge the tie.

Thursday at the Tour de France

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:11 EDT

Stage | A 112.8-mile trek from Gerona to Barcelona along the Mediterranean Sea featuring five small climbs.

Winner | Norway's Thor Hushovd of the Cervelo team, in 4 hours, 21 minutes, 33 seconds, in a mass sprint finish.

Yellow Jersey | Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, who maintained his lead of a fraction of a second over seven-time champion Lance Armstrong.

NBA notes: Marion traded to Mavericks in complex trade

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:01 EDT

DALLAS -- The way Jerry Stackhouse's contract was structured, the Dallas Mavericks knew they could parlay him into a key player for next season. As it turned out, a lot of teams benefited.

The Mavericks, Raptors, Grizzlies and Magic combined in a massive swap Thursday that included eight players, a draft pick and stacks of cash. The deal sent Shawn Marion to Dallas, Stackhouse to Memphis and helped seal the transaction that moved Hedo Turkoglu from Orlando to Toronto.

Among the other pieces: Forward Kris Humphries, center Nathan Jawai and cash went from Toronto to Dallas; guard Greg Buckner moves from Memphis to Dallas; and swingmen Antoine Wright and Devean George go from Dallas to Toronto.

Sports in brief

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:17 EDT

AROUND THE CAROLINAS

BASEBALL

Clemson's Paulsen signs with Rockies

Baseball notes: Inge, Victorino elected All-Stars by fans

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:14 EDT

NEW YORK -- Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino and Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge have been elected by fans to Tuesday's All-Star game in record-shattering voting exclusively on MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball, and the individual club sites.

Victorino received 15.6 million votes and was followed by San Francisco's Pablo Sandoval, Arizona's Mark Reynolds, the Los Angeles Dodgers' Matt Kemp and Washington's Cristian Guzman.

Inge got 11.8 million ballots, finishing ahead of Texas' Ian Kinsler, the Los Angeles Angels' Chone Figgins, Tampa Bays' Carlos Pena and Toronto's Adam Lind.

McPherson opens up about commish, season's third major

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:18 EDT

Conway native Kristy McPherson wasn't at a dinner of LPGA Tour heavyweights last week that resulted in a letter calling for tour commissioner Carolyn Bivens' resignation, but she agrees with the message.

``I just want to play golf next year,'' McPher son said Wednesday. ``I want to make sure we have tournaments, and if that means we have somebody else lead us then that's what I want. If she can't get it done and can't get us back tournaments we've had for years, then some one else needs to.''

As McPherson tees off today in her second U.S. Open at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa., the fate of the tour's commissioner apparently hangs in the balance. Though McPherson said most of the tour's players were caught off- guard by the letter and she learned of it through media reports, she believes most players support it.

Felton makes one pitch, waits for another

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:08 EDT

Raymond Felton had two pitches on his mind Wednesday night.

He stretched out his right arm and shoulder to throw the first before the Myrtle Beach Pelicans lost 9-0 to the Potomac Nationals at BB&T Coastal Field, and is prepared to stretch out his wallet when the Charlotte Bobcats make their final pitch to him.

The Latta native is a free agent and Wednesday was the first day NBA free agents could sign with teams.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Baseball fans pig out in all-you-can-eat seats

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:08 EDT

First pitch was still half an hour away and the empty plastic cups, crinkled foil wrappers and peanut shells were already piling up under the blue seats in the Metrodome's upper deck.

While the Minnesota Twins prepared to play the Cleveland Indians on a recent evening, a few hundred fans were getting ready for a night-long contest of their own - a race to empty out the concession stands before they closed.

"I've done four hot dogs, three nachos, a pretzel, some popcorn and about four of these pops," said Charlie Romain, proudly treating himself to an early 22nd birthday feast. "It's only been an hour, but I'm digesting a bit right now."

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Stewart says Goodyear has solved tire problems at Brickyard

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:08 EDT

Two-time Allstate 400 winner Tony Stewart said Wednesday he is confident Goodyear has solved the tire problems that plagued last year's race at the Brickyard.

Stewart is among the drivers who have participated in Goodyear's seven test sessions at the track since last year, when severe tire wear turned the race into a series of 10- to 12-lap sprints.

"I can promise you they put on a full-court press on making sure we don't have the issues we had last year," Stewart said during an appearance at the track with teammate Ryan Newman. "We were able to run almost 30 laps and were still not down to the cords on the tires, so I'm confident that with a full field there shouldn't be any issues at all.