USC Aiken pitcher closes in on national record

Former Greenbrier High School star Nick Wandless continues to rewrite the USC Aiken record book, and now he is closing in on a national record.

Wandless pitched a perfect ninth inning Tuesday as the Pacers beat Belmont 11-2. It was career appearance No. 107 for Wandless - just two shy of the all-time NCAA D-II mark held by Jimmy Hoog of Eckerd College (1985-88).

The victory ran USC Aiken's record to 37-12 overall, and the 16th-ranked Pacers have won 17 consecutive nonconference games.

To say Wandless has had a good year would be a giant understatement. He has been dominant. He is 2-0 for the season with 12 saves in 24 appearances. He has an ERA of 0.68 and has struck out 39 batters and walked just four in 26.1 innings.

Wandless has yielded only six hits all year, and zero extra-base hits. Folks, it does not get any more dominant than that.

If he is not a First Team All-American there should be a criminal investigation. Not bad for a guy who did not pitch until his senior year at Greenbrier.

The only thing bad about Nick's season is that it has overshadowed a breakout year by his younger brother Scott. The sophomore left-hander has been sensational. He is 7-1 in just eight starts and has an impressive ERA of 1.94. He also has racked up 56 strikeouts in just 51 innings on the mound.

Softball and middle school events planned

Last year, the inaugural CSRA Prospect Showcase Baseball event was a hit with players, parents and fans, and it has led to additional events for local athletes.

Final details are being ironed out for the first-ever area softball all-star game. The game will feature the top senior girls fastpitch softball players from Columbia, Richmond, McDuffie and Burke counties vs. players from Aiken, Edgefield, Barnwell and McCormick counties.

Also in the works are plans for a Columbia County Mmiddle Sschool baseball all-star game. Organizers say that for year one the game will feature players from Columbia County only. These players will be split into east and west squads for the game. This game could possibly grow to include more schools.

Final details for each event will be released next week.