USC SUMTER FIRE ANTS

The USC Sumter Fire Ants (NJCAA Division 1) have clinched the Region X Conference Championship and are presently ranked #11 in the Country according to the most recent polls (4-13-2011). Their overall record heading into this weekend games stands at 35 - 8. The Fire Ants have won 25 out of their last 26 games while sweeping the season series (4 games to 0) from the likes of Spartanburg Methodist (ranked #25), Pitt CC, USC Lancaster & Florence Darlington. The Conference tournament starts the first week of May in Burlington, NC.

 

Philly Dave,
Can you please explain the how junior college baseball is organized? Divisions, conferences, etc.

(Thanks for the Sumter news. Having attended Alice Drive Middle about 200 yards from USC Sumter campus I know that "Sum-tah" is synonymous with quality baseball. From the sandlots to Gupton park, Richardson Park, and Riley Ballpark. ;-)

 

Riley Park is an terrific old time ball park! In fact, they (the City of Sumter) are building a New Concession stand and New facilities outside the existing facility. The work should be completed this summer.

The NJCAA consists of 379 teams through out the country.

They divide the divisions just like the Major Colleges do with respect to D1, D2 & D3.

FYI Since the last official national ranked polls (D1) have been announced (4-13-2011) The Fire Ants have gone 6-1! Here's hoping their ranking will climb at bit more from #11!

Presently there are 24 Conferences in D1, 21 Conferences in D2 & 12 Conferences in D3.

Region X (D1) consists of the following teams, USC Sumter, Louisburg College, Florence Darlington CC, USC Salkehatchie, USC Lancaster, Pitt CC, Spartanburh Methodist College and Guilford Tech.

All teams will compete in their respective conference championships the first week of May and only the winner will advance to a Regional championship.

 

Thanks Philly Dave

Thanks Philly Dave for explaining JC baseball. So, when I visited Louisburg CC (D1 JC) to see a Wilkes CC (D2 JC) pitcher pitch a 9 inning shutout on superbowl Sunday....he was pitching up a level in competition. Nice.

Yes. Sumter is a really special baseball community. Riley park has gone through several renovations and looks better than ever. They added the Big A$$ fans after seeing Shelby's mammoth ceiling fans during the AL world series. Regionals should be fun. Can't wait to see Jordan Montgomery, 6'4" LHP, committed to USC (following Matt Price to USC, the CWS champion closer). Wonder if "foul ball lady" will be there... never missing the opportunity to say...."FOUL BALL!!!"

Sumter HS plays at their own campus now. I dropped by. Nice, but typical. Back in the day I had to hustle and run/jog from McLaurin (9th grade campus) to Riley ballpark every day to practice, a little over a mile, hauling my books and gear. (no bag with rollers). It made running poles repetitive. (Poles are a stupid & antiquated idea anyway). Lucky if an upper classmen was kind and offered a ride. And, If you didn't want to hustle, you had a 100 kids dying to replace you.

 

Sumter has had a very good season. They will be tough to beat in the tourney.

 

USC Sumter is now ranked #8 in the country for NJCAA D1!

 

Should be a great Tourney..So many Teams that are really close...GTCC beat Sumter and had them down the second game before the rains came. Just a thought on a dark horse Team that could do some damage in the Tourney this year.

 

Well aware of the capabilities of that team. Hopefully the Fire Ants will keep that in mind if their paths cross in the tournament.