Wade Hampton's Martin Named Top Player in NCAA Regional

USC Gamecock and former Wade Hampton High standout, Kyle Martin, was named as the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Regional in Columbia on Monday after the Gamecocks defeated the Liberty Flames 6-4 to advance to its fourth straight Super Regional.

Martin, who had been little used this season, was put into service Friday in the Regional opener for his defense. Instead, Martin hit what turned out to be the game-winning hit against St. Louis in a 7-3 win. Martin hit an eighth inning single over the Billikens first baseman into right field to score former Easley High standout Joey Pankake to provide the winning margin.

Martin, who plays first base, followed up that performance with a three-run homer in a 19-3 destruction of the Liberty Flames a day later.

Joining Martin on the Regional All-Tournament Team were five other Gamecocks, including Easley's Pankake. Clemson, which was eliminated from the tournament before even having a shot at unseating the arch-rival Gamecocks on their home turf, placed just one player (Shane Kennedy 3B) on the All-Tournament team.

With its win Monday, the Gamecocks have now won an NCAA-record 27-straight postseason games on their home field.

"They're near impossible to beat here," Liberty second baseman Bryan Aanderud said.

Should the top-ranked and top-seeded UNC Tarheels lose their Monday game against the Florida Atlantic Owls, USC will host a Super Regional in Columbia. If not, the Gamecocks will travel to Chapel Hill in their bid to reach the College World Series for a fourth straight year.