Sports

SC State opens preseason camp, reflecting on years past

ORANGEBURG, SC (WOLO)– South Carolina State began year 16 under Head Coach Buddy Pough Wednesday morning in Orangeburg. The Bulldogs opened preseason practice Wednesday (Aug. 2) to prepare for the 2017 campaign and a quest for their 17th Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship (MEAC) title in school history. Approximately 100 players participated in a two-hour workout session in helmets at Oliver. C. Dawson Stadium….

Gamecocks have Skai-high expectations for Skai Moore after injury

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — The Gamecocks held their third preseason practice Wednesday morning at Gamecock Park, just 31 days until the start of the 2017 season. Will Muschamp and the Gamecocks began the day with an indoor stretching session, then took practice outside. Jake Bentley took most snaps under center, working out with the rest of the quarterbacks in shoulder…

Fireflies drop series to Charleston Wednesday night

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WOLO) –The Fireflies fell to the RiverDogs in extra innings Wednesday night, 4-3 to lose the series to Charleston. The game was tied, 3-3, with Charleston (56-50) at the plate in the bottom of the 10th. Reliever Keaton Aldridge (L, 0-1) allowed the first two batters to reach before intentionally walking Brandon Wagner. Isiah Gilliam then jolted a…

Newberry picked to win SAC Championship

ROCK HILL (WOLO) – For the first time in school history, the Newberry Wolves have been selected to win the South Atlantic Conference Championship by the league’s coaches. The Wolves garnered six first-place votes and received 55 points overall, with Wingate earning one first-place vote and 47 total points. Third-place Mars Hill received the final first-place vote. “It’s a great compliment…

While Bentley has more freedom, Roper still the play-caller

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — While Jake Bentley will have more freedom in USC’s offense this season to audible at the line of scrimmage, make no mistake: he’s not the offensive coordinator. At least, he’s not yet. On Monday, Gamecocks offensive coordinator Kurt Roper made it clear who will be responsible for the play-calling. “I’ll be calling the plays,” said Roper….

Fireflies hang on to beat RiverDogs, 11-10

CHARLESTON, SC (WOLO) – The Fireflies put up 11 runs off 15 hits to hang on to beat the Charleston RiverDogs, 11-10 Tuesday night. Columbia (56-49) built an impressive 11-0 lead after five innings. A lead the RiverDogs nearly toppled. But the Fireflies hung on and took game two of the series. Wednesday’s clash is the rubber match of the series. The…

SC State’s Leonard named to FCS Preseason All-America team

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WOLO) — SC State linebacker Darius Leonard keeps racking up the honors. Leonard was honored among his peers  as being one of the top defensive players in the nation being named to the 2017 STATS FCS Preseason All-America First Team. Leonard was recently named the MEAC Preseasons Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season and was one of five…

Former Gamecock offensive coordinator lands new coaching gig

KUTZTOWN, Pa. (WOLO) –Former USC offensive coordinator GA Mangus has a new coaching position today. Mangus was hired Tuesday as the offensive coordinator, quarterbacks and tight ends coach at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. Mangus, a former quarterback at the University of Florida, spent seven years at the University of South Carolina. He served as the offensive coordinator while also coaching…

Blackham Named SAL-BC® Relief Pitcher of the Month

CHARLESTON, SC (WOLO) – Fireflies reliever Matt Blackham was named the South Atlantic League-BC® Relief Pitcher of the Month after a tremendous July. The Overland Park, Kansas, native did not allow an earned run in 15.0 innings in the month and struck out 23 batters. Blackham allowed just six hits and two walks in his eight appearances. “Matt has been one of our…