COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina coach Ray Tanner said Monday that dismissed infielder Casey Rihn made a mistake and had to face the consequences, no matter what that means to the Gamecocks and their postseason chances.

Rihn was kicked off the team after the backup second baseman was arrested around 2 a.m. Sunday for public drunkenness and resisting arrest. Columbia police said the 21-year-old Rihn smacked a passing police cruiser with his hands, then continued to hit the vehicle after officers stopped and told him he was under arrest.

"He'd never been in trouble in his life. He made a bad decision," Tanner said before the team left for the Southeastern Conference tournament in Hoover, Ala. "But you're responsible for your actions. It was embarrassing to his family, to the program and to the university."

Rihn was walking early Sunday morning when he hit the back of a marked patrol car, police spokesman Brick Lewis. When he was confronted by police, he tried to pull away and was placed face down on the ground as he continued to struggle, Lewis said.

Rihn, from LaHabra, Calif., was released from jail Sunday evening on a personal recognizance bond.

Rihn did not immediately respond to an e-mail from The Associated Press on Monday. It was unclear whether he had an attorney, a police spokesman said. There were no listed phone numbers for Rihn's parents.

Tanner said he spoke with Rihn, a junior college transfer, and Rihn's mother on Sunday night after he left jail. The coach said Rihn was remorseful and in tears as he apologized.

"You hate being in those situations in general, but I think it's part of life and people make mistakes," Tanner said.

Tanner spoke with some of his student leaders Sunday night and the rest of the team on Monday. "We care about Casey Rihn, but we're moving forward," he said.

Tanner does not think Rihn's transgression will blunt South Carolina's surge the past few weeks.

The Gamecocks were in danger of missing the SEC tournament - only eight of the league's 12 teams qualify for the postseason event - after a three-game sweep at Florida three weeks ago.

The team has caught fire since then, winning 10 of its last 11. That included three-game sweeps over two other teams in the SEC tourney in Vanderbilt and Georgia.

Tanner told the team after it closed out its third win over the powerful Bulldogs on Saturday that it would be easy to lose control in a post-victory celebration.

Tanner grew teary himself Monday afternoon talking about Rihn, who was praised as a team-first player, an excellent student and someone of good character.

Rihn had worked his way into a reliable back up for Scott Wingo at second. Rihn made eight starts in his 28 appearances, hitting .321 with 10 runs scored in just 28 at bats.

The Gamecocks open tournament play against Alabama on Wednesday night.

Tanner said senior first baseman Jesse Barbaro would take Rihn's spot on the traveling roster for the SEC tournament. If necessary, Tanner said he could use center fielder Whit Merrifield as a late-inning infielder.

Still, it's not something the players wanted to face as they prepare to continue their late run.

"We're kind of upset about it," Gamecock outfielder DeAngelo Mack said. "But we got to move on. Obviously, we'd rather have him with us. But it's unfortunate when you get in trouble. We kind of feel for him."