After a year away from the classroom, Kyle Martin (2012-15) came back and finished what he started. While his professional baseball career is still in front of him, the former South Carolina All-American first baseman has already taken a huge step for life after baseball by coming back to school through the Carolina Degree Completion program and is earning his degree in mechanical engineering this week.I busted my tail for four years, I might as well get it done now, Martin laughed. Really, Im not sure if anybody in my family graduated from college. Its something Ive prided myself on. I worked really hard to complete something, so I wanted to see it through. I didnt want to take a lot of time off and then come back and not know whats going on. I wanted to come back while it was still fresh in my mind.The Carolina Degree Completion Program is part of the Gamecock Student-Athlete Promise and is for student-athletes who left the university in good academic standing to pursue a professional career, or did not complete their degree due to personal circumstances. The program allows those former student-athletes to apply to be readmitted to come back to campus and finish their degree. They have all of the resources that are offered to undergraduate students such as tutoring, laptops, and use of the Dodie Academic Enrichment Center.Its a great opportunity, Martin said of the program. To have that degree means a lot. It opens doors.After earning First Team All-American and First Team All-SEC honors as a senior, Martin was selected in the fourth round of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft by Philadelphia and played his first full season in high A baseball in Clearwater, Florida, this past year.It definitely would have been more difficult if I waited longer to come back to school, Martin said. It took me about three weeks to get adjusted to it all again. Once I got back into the routine, it all started coming back. Its been a long road. I took a Creo Parametric class this semester, which is full of design. I thought that was one of the coolest parts of my four-plus years here.Martin noted that coming back was tough, but fulfilling. With his father being a mechanical engineer, Martin grew up doing a lot of puzzles and working a lot of math problems which created an interest in the field. Martin had become close with one of his professors, Dr. Michael Sutton, during his playing days with the Gamecocks, and he had encouraged him to complete his degree after staying in touch while playing professional baseball.He sits on the third base line during all of our games, Martin recalled. He and I hit it off, and every now and then I would go into his office just to talk. He went over the classes I had to take, and he really helped me out to get back into it. (Athletics Director) Coach (Ray) Tanner helped me out, and so did (Senior Associate AD/Academics and Student Development) Maria Hickman over at the Dodie. Everybody was helpful.Martin enjoyed some great memories as a Gamecock, including going to the College World Series as a freshman, as well as playing in front of a capacity crowd at Founders Park when South Carolina hosted Clemson.Beating Clemson at home my freshman year was one of my best memories, Martin said. It was so crowded. I loved it. There were a lot of memories my senior year as well. I hit my first walk-off home run (against Kentucky), and I hit for the cycle (at Florida). There are a lot of memories.Martin understands the importance of earning his degree because he knows there is a time when hell have to step out from between the white lines of the baseball field.It might not hit me at first, but I know one day when baseball is over and I really get to use my degree, its going to mean even more, Martin said. I know it means a lot to my parents. Theyve given me so much help and encouragement. Its been a lot of long nights and a long journey, but I know deep down that its going to be heartwarming to know I put the work in and got it done.Now that the coursework is done, Martin looks forward to putting in the work in pursuit of his professional baseball career at Spring Training in March. http://www.jetsrookiestore.com/Jets-Curtis-Martin-Jersey/ . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. http://www.jetsrookiestore.com/Jets-Bryce-Petty-Jersey/ .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. http://www.jetsrookiestore.com/Jets-Christian-Hackenberg-Jersey/ . 1, meaning problems for the doping controls at both major international sports events next year. The World Anti-Doping Agency provisionally suspended the Moscow Antidoping Center on Sunday, saying its operations must improve or a six-month ban on the facilitys accreditation will be imposed. http://www.jetsrookiestore.com/Jets-Jamal-Adams-Jersey/ .Y. -- Canadas Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse have another World Cup gold medal after winning the two-women bobsled race on Saturday in Lake Placid, N. http://www.jetsrookiestore.com/T-Shirts/ . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. NEW YORK -- His playing days dwindling, Mark Teixeira gave himself a moment to savor Wednesday night and rescued the New York Yankees in the process.Teixeira hit a game-winning grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning, and the Yankees staved off playoff elimination at the last possible instant with a 5-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox.Thats as good as it gets right there, said Teixeira, set to retire after this season.Boston clinched the AL East title nearly 30 minutes before Teixeira connected, thanks to Torontos 3-2 loss against Baltimore. But a five-run comeback by New York in the ninth prevented its longtime rival from celebrating on the Yankee Stadium field.Its an unbelievable moment, manager Joe Girardi said. Its a great moment for him, and its a great moment for us.The victory by the Orioles put the Yankees on the brink of wild-card elimination following a surprising charge late this season. New York had only one infield hit and trailed 3-0 heading into the ninth, with Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel (2-5) jogging in from the bullpen on a misty and blustery night in the Bronx.Kimbrel, however, gave up a leadoff single to Brett Gardner and issued three straight walks, the last forcing in a run.Red Sox manager John Farrell turned to Joe Kelly, who struck out Starlin Castro and retired Didi Gregorius on a foul popup. With the Yankees down to their last out, Teixeira launched a 99 mph fastball on an 0-1 count into the New York bullpen in right-center.You dont want a wall-scraper in an 8-0 game to be your last one. You want a walkoff grand slam against the Red Sox, Teixeira said. Ill still be trying the next four games, but if it happens to be my last one, it will be pretty special.Yankees relievers raised their arms in excitement, and Teixeira puffed his cheeks and spread his arms wide as he rounded first base. The 36-year-old slugger, in his 14th big league season, tossed his helmet as happy New York players poured out of the dugout to swarm him at home plate.Im going to take away a lot of memories. This will be one of the best, Teixeira said. Thats as good as I can hit a ball.New York (82-76) guaranteed its 24th consecutive winning season, the second-longest streak in major league history behind the Yankees run of 39 straight from 1926-64.It was the teams first game-ending slam since Alex Rodriguez on April 7, 2007.Meanwhile, the Red Sox walked back to their bench and quietly cleared out of the dugout,, an awkward way to mark their second division crown in four years.dddddddddddd But once they returned to their clubhouse, they let loose and celebrated with the traditional beer and bubbly.Cant let one inning deter our whole season, outfielder Mookie Betts said.James Pazos (1-0) earned his first major league win, and the Yankees remained four games behind Baltimore for the second AL wild card with four to play.Though the final score in Toronto was posted on the out-of-town scoreboard, the Red Sox hardly seemed to notice as players draped their arms over the dugout railing and rooted for Kimbrel in the ninth.Red Sox executives, however, jumped out of their front-row seats next to the Boston dugout and rejoiced when the Blue Jays game ended, giving Boston its eighth AL East title.Betts snapped a scoreless tie when he chopped a two-run double over third base in the eighth inning. David Ortiz scored moments later on Gary Sanchezs passed ball.Boston, which had already secured at least a wild-card spot in the playoffs, will open its postseason schedule Oct. 6 seeking a second World Series crown since 2013. The teams first opponent has not been determined yet.You never want to see a team celebrate on your home field, or celebrate at all, so well take that as a positive tonight, Teixeira said in the clubhouse, where he was congratulated by Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson.TRAINERS ROOMRed Sox: LHP Drew Pomeranz (sore forearm) is tentatively slated to throw his customary 30-35 pitches in a bullpen session Thursday. The team hopes he can make a relief appearance during its final regular-season series this weekend, but manager John Farrell said that wont be determined or planned until Pomeranz gets through his bullpen OK. ...Yankees: RHP Masahiro Tanaka (forearm) felt fine after playing catch Tuesday, but the team is unsure if hell start Saturday against Baltimore, Girardi said.UP NEXTOrtiz, also retiring after the season, says goodbye to Yankee Stadium in the series finale Thursday night. New York has planned a pregame ceremony.Red Sox LHP Henry Owens (0-1) starts in place of Pomeranz, scratched from his scheduled outing. Owens threw 80 pitches at the teams complex in Florida last week and should be comfortable going that far, Farrell said. LHP CC Sabathia (8-12) gets the ball for the Yankees. 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