Clinton, S.C. – Winthrop softball dropped a hard fought battle against USC Upstate in the Big South Championship game as a big first inning led to a 7-4 victory for the Spartans.

GAME INFORMATION

RECORD: (4) Winthrop (30-23, 10-8 Big South) | (3) USC Upstate (39-14, 10-8 Big South)

WINTHROP LEADERS: Megan Powell (4-4, R, HR, RBI) | Katie Beck (1-3, R, HR, 2RBI) | Emma Jackson (1-4, R, 2B) | Lonna Addison (5IP, 4H, R, BB, 2K / 0-2, BB)

WHAT HAPPENED

• Upstate grabbed the lead in the bottom of the first inning
• It started when Denver Lauer led off with a double down the left field line
• Alanna Deal followed with a walk and then on a 2-1 count it looked like Sophia Kardatzke was hit by a pitch but after conversations among the umpire and coaches she was brought back for a 3-1 count
• On that play Lauer and Deal were allowed to move over a base and remain
• The next pitch Kardatzke pulled a soft floater to left field, scoring Lauer for a 1-0 lead
• Carson Shaw followed with a single through the left side that plated two more runs
• Abigail Pippen followed by reaching on an error at first base that scored Shaw from second on the play
• Upstate managed two more runs to extend the lead to 6-0
• Eagles got on the board in the third inning as Megan Powell homered to left field
• Tia Beckham followed with a double to center, but was stranded
• Upstate answered in the bottom half of the third as Abby Polk drew a leadoff walk and then scored three batters later on a double down the left field line by Liza Simmerson
• Eagles threatened in the top of the fourth inning as Katie Beck started it off with a leadoff walk
• After a flyout by Annelisa Winebarger, Beck hustled all the way from first to third on a wild pitch
• Lonna Addison then drew a walk on a full count to put runners at the corners
• Tabitha Perry tried to lay down a bunt but Deal at third base raced in to catch the bunt and then quickly threw to first for a double play to end the top half
• Katie Beck cut into the Upstate lead in the top of the sixth as Peyton Bryden led off with a triple off the right field wall and then Beck homered to right to trail 7-3
• Emma Jackson led off the top of the seventh with a double down the left field line and Powell followed with a single to left to put runners at the corners with no outs
• Emma Roberson came in to pinch-run for Powell and stole second to put two runners in scoring position
• Two batters later Bryden grounded to second to pull the Eagles within three runs as Jackson scored from third but unfortunately the Eagles were unable to keep the rally going

EXTRA BASES

• This was the second straight year the Eagles played in a Big South Championship game and the 15^th all-time
• Powell and Back’s home runs put the team total at 51 for the season, third most in program history for a single-season
• It is just the fourth time in program history that an Eagle team had 50 or more home runs in a single-season
• It also gave the Eagles three players with 10 or more home runs this season
• This is the first time in program history the Eagles have had three players with 10 or more in a season (Powell, Beck and Beckham all have 10)
• Powell had her second four-hit game of the tournament and finished the tournament with nine hits, two runs and three RBI
• Jackson had a team-best six runs in the tournament giving her 120 for her career
• Powell, Jackson and Addison were named to the Big South All-Tournament Team

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For everything Winthrop softball visit www.winthropeagles.com or follow us on social media @Winthropsoftbal, winthropsoftball (Instagram) or www.facebook.com/Winthrop-Softball

T7 | Bryden drives in a run to make it a 3 run game#ROCKtheHILL | #BigSouthSB pic.twitter.com/MltSRSKsfI

— Winthrop Softball (@Winthropsoftbal) May 10, 2025

T6 | BECK WITH THE OPPO 2-RUN HR

WIN 3

UPST 7#ROCKtheHILL | #BigSouthSB pic.twitter.com/IbdvNethpE

— Winthrop Softball (@Winthropsoftbal) May 10, 2025

T3 | DOWN BUT NOT OUT! POWELL GOES DEEP#ROCKtheHILL | #BigSouthSB pic.twitter.com/zH2LxSL6eh

— Winthrop Softball (@Winthropsoftbal) May 10, 2025

As Oklahoma and Texas A&M waited more than two hours for the rain to pass the Athens area, the two teams and the SEC came to a decision. The 2025 SEC softball tournament championship game would be canceled, and the two teams would be co-champions.

OU coach Patty Gasso detailed the conversation she had with Texas A&M’s Trisha Ford about whether they should play the title game. The top two teams in the country, Gasso said the two coaches weighed whether there’d be any advantage to playing Saturday’s game, which was already moved up from its original start time.

Ultimately, they opted to be co-champions of the 2025 SEC softball tournament. Gasso pointed out the stakes of the looming NCAA Tournament compared to the title game in the rain.

“Both coaches just got together and said, ‘What is this worth?’” Gasso said, via The Oklahoman’s Ryan Aber. “We’re co-champions. … It doesn’t give us a big advantage one way or another. We just want to get on our charter flights before the weather gets worse and try to get home at a good hour because there’s too much at stake to play in this right now.”

Texas A&M headed into Saturday ranked as the top team in the country while Oklahoma came in at No. 2. The Aggies also sit No. 1 in the RPI with the fifth-toughest strength of schedule, along with a 19-8 record vs. Top-25 RPI teams. The Sooners, meanwhile, sit No. 5 in the RPI and have the No. 16 strength of schedule, as well as an 18-6 record against the RPI Top 25.

Patty Gasso’s comments were similar to Trisha Ford’s regarding the decision to cancel Saturday’s game. The tarp never came off the field at Jack Turner Stadium, and Ford pointed out the need to ensure everyone got home safe and sound.

“There’s just a lot of factors [that went into it],” Ford said, via The Eagle’s Robert Cessna. “It hasn’t stopped raining since about noon today. It [didn’t] look like we’d get a window big enough for us to be able to play a game. So with just the field conditions and then for everybody being able to get home safely [it was] just one of those unfortunate things.”

Both the Sooners and Aggies will find out their NCAA Tournament fate during Sunday’s selection show. The bracket reveal is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

South Carolina has been a consensus top 20 team in most offseason projections ahead of the 2025 season. Some analysts have pushed Shane Beamer’s team as a top-12 unit in the country. With that, the Gamecocks have been part of many College Football Playoff discussions.

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On Friday, CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports analyst Adam Breneman posted his prediction for the 2025 College Football Playoff, and South Carolina made the cut. According to Breneman, the Gamecocks will go 9-3 again this season. This time, though, that record will be enough to get USC into the 12-team field.

Breneman has Carolina as the CFP’s No. 11 overall seed (the final at-large bid), matching up with the No. 6 Texas Longhorns in the first round. The winner of the SEC vs. SEC showdown would face another SEC team in the quarterfinals. The Alabama Crimson Tide–a team already on the schedule earlier in the year–would be waiting with a potential matchup against the rival Clemson Tigers (or Illinois Fighting Illini or LSU Tigers) in the semifinal. A game against either Tigers would be a rematch, too.

In addition to the game’s stakes, there would be added intrigue for South Carolina against any of those semifinal opponents. Clemson is…well, Clemson, and the Palmetto State’s rivalry is one of the biggest in the sport. South Carolina and Illinois played in the 2024 Citrus Bowl and left with newfound hostilities. LSU is an SEC rival, and the 2024 matchup (and its questionable officiating) kept USC out of last year’s CFP.

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Breneman, who was an All-American tight end at UMass and an assistant coach at Arizona State, has been buying into South Carolina for a while. As the Gamecocks began their late-season surge in 2024, Breneman was one of the voices arguing in favor of USC’s postseason resume.

South Carolina’s road to making their first College Football Playoff begins on Sunday, August 31st. The Gamecocks will take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Every Wednesday from 2pm – 3pm EST, former Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner, former Michigan point guard Daniel Horton, and I come together on Steady Droppin’ Dimes, a sports show featuring real talk, and real views, from three real dudes. College football, college basketball, NFL, and NBA topics drive much of the debate, but discussion of other sports will enter the fray some days as well. Non-sports topics aren’t off limits, and neither are celebrity guests.

This week on Steady Droppin’ Dimes, Sam Webb and Daniel Horton discuss the proposed two-game suspension for Michigan assistant coach Sherrone Moore due to deleted text messages during an NCAA investigation into Connor Stallions. Webb clarified that the suspension is not final and is part of a self-imposed punishment process. But the episode begins with and interview with Erika Morgan, mother of Michigan wideout Semaj Morgan, and Jillian Blackwell, mother of Wisconsin combo guard John Blackwell, about their new podcast, “Mom’s in the Huddle with Jillian and Erika.” It focuses on parental support for student-athletes in the age of NIL. The conversation also touched on the impact of NIL on college sports, and specifically the long-term outlook for the smaller programs currently being ravaged for talent. Additionally, Webb highlighted the Ann Arbor Sports Commission’s initiative to allow kids 13 and under to participate in all Epic Races events in the Ann Arbor area for free this year. The episode concludes with a chat with the president and CEO Golden Limousine Sean Duval about the deep-rooted relationship between his company and the University of Michigan, including his ongoing support of athletes through NIL, and extending beyond athletics with his various partnerships with Michigan medicine.

The contents and full episode notes appear below.

For more, watch the full video on The Michigan Insider’s YouTube channel: CLICK HERE

Contents and episode notes:

00:00 – Start of Show

• Host Sam Webb introduces the episode with guest Daniel Horton (former Michigan PG).
• DG’s flight delay prevents his appearance; rescheduled for next week.
• Sponsor shoutout: Ann Arbor Sports Commission (free Epic Races for kids 13 & under).

03:15 – Moms in the Huddle Podcast Launch

• Erica Morgan (mother of Michigan WR Semaj Morgan) and Jillian Blackwell (mother of Wisconsin combo guard Jonathan Blackwell) discuss their new podcast:
• Purpose: Guide parents navigating NIL, transfer portal, and mental health for student-athletes.
• Key episodes:
• Stuck on Stars: High school rankings vs. college success.
• Parents Stay Out of the Locker Room: Boundaries for parental involvement.
• Whose Money Is It Anyway? NIL earnings and family dynamics.
• Format: Weekly episodes, live sessions, and campus visits.
• Goal: “No parent stands alone” in navigating collegiate athletics.

14:29 – Community Spotlight: Semaj Morgan’s Event

• Honors mothers who lost children to gun violence/illness.
• Features karaoke, comedian Mike Bonner, and Jamaican food.

22:48 – NCAA Investigation Update

• ESPN report: 2-game suspension for deleting texts during sign-stealing investigation.
• Sam’s sources: No final decision; Michigan is in dialogue with NCAA about self-imposed penalties.
• Key context:

• Moore’s deleted texts were recovered, no evidence of involvement in Stallions’ scheme.
• NCAA may push for harsher penalties; Michigan could contest.

• Daniel’s take: “Don’t self-impose—force the NCAA to prove their case.”

30:30 – NIL & Transfer Portal Realities

• Small programs hemorrhaging talent to wealthier schools (e.g., Auburn, Florida).
• Potential solutions: Revenue sharing (pending NCAA settlement) or tiered conferences.
• Trajan Langdon’s insight: NIL money keeps fringe NBA prospects in college longer.

39:41 – Coaching Carousel & Salaries

• Jim Harbaugh’s departure: Doubled salary with Chargers; no ill will from Michigan.
• Dusty May’s future: NBA interest likely if success continues.
• Eric Bakich (baseball): Big Ten can’t compete with SEC/ACC coaching salaries.

41:14 – Michigan’s proposed self-imposed two-game suspension of Sherrone Moore

• Sam Webb criticizes social media narratives and uninformed speculation, arguing the NCAA is attempting to enforce penalties without precedent or proper evidence.
• Ward Manuel’s statement explicitly denies any postseason bans or major punishments despite rumors.
• Deductive reasoning suggests Michigan’s proposed two-game suspension contradicts notions of severe penalties, indicating NCAA threats are exaggerated.
• Sam emphasizes the importance of fact-checking and not relying on rumors or social media buzz.

44:57 – Perceptions of the punishment

• Daniel Horton remarks that the idea of “nuking the program” with severe sanctions is exaggerated.
• Sam Webb criticizes the media’s embrace of the narrative, calling it irrational.
• Horton contrasts Michigan’s stance with how NCAA infractions are handled at other institutions, recalling his own experience turning down money offers.
• Sam notes how media narratives can magnify the situation, leading to misinformed public opinion.

47:22 – Strategy: Fight vs Compromise – Two-Game Suspension Discussion

• Sam Webb proposes that if a two-game suspension settles the issue and allows Michigan to move forward, it could be a practical choice.
• Daniel Horton agrees but emphasizes that it should close the matter permanently; otherwise, it prolongs controversy.
• Both stress the need for finality to prevent ongoing distractions.
• Sam believes that settling the issue expedites Michigan’s focus on the upcoming season.

49:00 – Text Messages and Investigation Tactics

• Sam Webb clarifies that Sherrone Moore did not delete “Connor Stallions” text messages, he’d deleted all the text messages from his phone, before later recovering the Connor Stallions text messages, refuting claims that the NCAA had to recover them.
• Horton notes that deleted text messages are easily recoverable, countering narratives of hidden information.
• Both assert that the NCAA’s motives seem more about optics than actual evidence.
• Sam emphasizes that the recovery of evidence is a standard practice and should not be sensationalized.

51:31 – NCAA Motivation and Investigation Leaks

• Daniel Horton compares the situation to personal trust violations, suggesting the NCAA might feel “played,” which drives its aggressiveness.
• They theorize that leaks could be coming from either the NCAA or Michigan but agree this particular leak could’ve been more gossip-driven than strategic.
• Both note that leaks may damage Michigan’s reputation, irrespective of the investigation’s outcome.

57:44 – Leadership Changes and Athletic Implications

• Sam Webb clarifies that Santa Ono’s departure from Michigan had no ties to the NCAA situation—purely political and salary-driven.
• Horton reflects on the challenge of keeping high-profile coaches when NFL teams offer significantly more money and resources.
• Sam praises Harbaugh’s transparency with players about his career intentions, setting realistic expectations.
• Both discuss the importance of clear communication in leadership transitions.

1:02:30 – Closing Notes

• Sam and Daniel wrap up the discussion, emphasizing that the NCAA’s approach may be more theatrical than substantive.
• Both agree that Michigan’s ability to move forward depends on how quickly the issue is resolved.
• Sam reiterates that the NCAA’s tactics are often driven by optics and media pressure.
• Horton suggests Michigan’s response could ultimately strengthen the program.

1:10:03 – Golden Limo Spotlight

• Sean Duvall (CEO) interview highlights:
• Michigan Medicine partnership: 24/7 shuttle services for patients/staff.
• NIL expansion: New deals with Zeke Berry (football) and Michigan basketball.
• Community impact: Safe rides for students, ADA transport, caregiver support.

1:34:09 – Closing Notes

• Next episode: Michigan football’s $230M economic impact (with Ann Arbor Sports Commission).

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When Rich Rodriguez wrapped up his first stint at West Virginia, NIL was 14 years away. Now, he’s back in Morgantown – and he’s adapting to the new landscape.

Rodriguez spent the last three years at Jacksonville State, including the last two at the FBS level in Conference USA. That gave him a taste of what it’s like navigating the intersection of NIL and the transfer portal.

Now, he’s back in a power conference at his alma mater. Rodriguez noted the amount of changes since he last roamed the sidelines at WVU, particularly the “open free agency” of the transfer portal every offseason.

“The goalposts have certainly moved a long way, and you have to adapt to it,” Rodriguez said on the College GameDay podcast. “You just throw your hands up. … This is really hard to build a program when you have open free agency every year.

“The NIL and paying them is one part. It’s like the NFL on steroids. But the biggest part is the open free agency. There’s no rookie salary cap, there’s no three-year contracts. That makes it really, really difficult. But that is what it is.”

However, Rich Rodriguez also stressed the importance of sticking to a plan to create a “culture” within a program. With so much roster movement during the transfer windows, he noted the need to stay transparent with players about their development and not getting too far away from the process in place.

“You have to [say], okay, how do I adjust to this new thing and still have the right culture?” Rodriguez said. “Everybody uses that word, ‘culture,’ but do they live it every day? Do they adhere to it in the way they go acquire players, develop players, build their roster. And that’s one thing I said from the start. We’re going to be okay [in] the rev-share world. We’re not going to have in the pre-rev share all the money – maybe somebody else does – but we can still have the best culture. And you have to adhere to that and you have to be disciplined enough that this is how you’re going to pay your guys, this is how you’re going to run your team, this is your salary cap and everybody’s got to understand that.

“You’ve got to be open and honest with your players. We’ve done that – we’ve tried to do that in the last four or five months – and that way, our culture’s going to be set for not just now, but next year and the year after that.”

The Auburn legend feels his investments are well spent in other areas.

NBA Hall-of-Famer Charles Barkley is one of the more vocal Auburn supporters in the national spotlight. However, his support does have boundaries.