COLUMBIA — For a proud program with two national championships, it was about as sad a scene imaginable. Before the few remaining fans at Carolina Stadium, Vanderbilt poured on runs in the late innings, exuding a cockiness which was evident in the jawing coming from the visiting dugout. For South Carolina, it all added up to another lopsided loss in SEC play, and another blow to a team whose 15-year NCAA Tournament streak may be nearing an end.
It was painful to watch. The crowd support which has made Carolina Stadium one of the toughest home ballparks in the nation was nonexistent from the start on a damp and gloomy Thursday night.