South Carolina baseball recruits ranked tops in US

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Collegiate Baseball is calling South Carolina’s current crop of recruits the best in the nation.

The magazine announced the ranking for the two-time national champions on Tuesday.

The group of 21 includes seven players who were drafted by major-league teams last June who chose instead to join the Gamecocks. Pitcher Evan Beal was an eighth-round pick by Kansas City and outfielder Tanner English was a 13th-round selection by Tampa Bay.

Outfielders Shon Carson and Ahmad Christian also picked South Carolina over the major leagues. Both players also are part of South Carolina’s football team.

Recruiting coordinator Chad Holbrook said the group is deep and talented and should keep the Gamecocks competitive in the Southeastern Conference.

South Carolina won the 2010 and 2011 College World Series.