Opening Day is here. 5 things to know about South Carolina baseball’s new season
Opening Day is always the start of something new. A new season. New players. New hope.
But as the South Carolina Gamecocks baseball team begins its 2025 season at 4 p.m. Friday against Sacred Heart, the newness will feel magnified. Here are five things to know as Carolina baseball begins its quest for Omaha.
The Paul Mainieri era begins
In the dugout for his first official game will be South Carolina’s new head coach, Paul Mainieri, who was hired following the firing of Mark Kingston. The 67-year-old coach spent 15 seasons at LSU — winning the 2009 national championship — but retired in 2021 amid nagging health issues.
If nothing else, Mainieri injects confidence and personality into the Gamecocks’ baseball program. A news conference with the new manager routinely lasts an hour and he speaks with a beautiful lack of gamesmanship. He announced part of the weekend rotation on a podcast and isn’t afraid to tell folks who’s starting, who’s not and why.
Like any new head coach, he still seems a bit unsure of how good his team actually is, but he thinks the days of USC baseball not cracking the Top 25 will be short-lived.
“I’m not promising you all of those championships this year,” Mainieri said, “but I know we’re a lot better than people think we are out there in the preseason.”
Welcome to Ray Tanner Field
It’s official — the paint is already on the grass. From this point on, South Carolina will play at Ray Tanner Field at Founders Park.
South Carolina bestowed the honor upon Tanner shortly after it was announced he was leaving his post as athletic director after 13 years. Of course, that only came after Tanner transformed South Carolina into perhaps the preeminent baseball program in the country — going to a half-dozen College World Series while winning the 2010 and 2011 national championships in 16 years with the Gamecocks.
A dedication ceremony will take place ahead of Saturday’s game.
Ethan Petry watch begins
Start the countdown.
South Carolina junior slugger Ethan Petry is just 19 home runs away from breaking the program record, held by Justin Smoak (62).
Petry is expected to put his name in the MLB Draft following the 2025 season, which means he has one season to become the top slugger in program history.
The good news: He’s already on pace. He broke the USC freshman home-run record with 23 long balls and followed that up with 21 last year.
A new-look rotation
South Carolina’s opening weekend starting rotation is set.
Starting the big one Friday will be Dylan Eskew, who was solid in 2024 for the Gamecocks, starting 15 games and finishing with a 4.60 ERA.
Senior lefty Matthew Becker will get the nod Saturday. Last year, the Chapin native struggled in a relief-heavy role, posting a 6.60 ERA.
And finishing it out is sophomore left-hander Jake McCoy. A surprise addition to the starting rotation — it seemed like Eli Jerzembeck would have a spot — McCoy impressed the last few weeks of the preseason. He made just a dozen appearances last year with his ERA just below 8.00.
Tons of newcomers
Even by the standards of 2025, South Carolina will have a lot of fresh faces in its starting lineup.
Freshman KJ Scobey is expected to start at first base. Ohio State transfer Henry Kaczmar should get the nod at shortstop. Clemson transfer Nolan Nawrocki is expected to be at second base. Fellow Clemson transfer Nathan Hall might be the starting centerfielder. And beside him in right field could be St. Mary’s transfer Dalton Marshore.
If that comes to pass, more than half of USC’s starters will be newcomers.
USC baseball: How to watch this weekend
Who: South Carolina vs. Sacred Heart
When: 4 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, Noon Sunday
Where: Founders Park; Columbia, South Carolina
TV: All three games are streaming on SEC Network Plus
