Lofty expectations still the norm as Holbrook, Gamecocks start 2016 season

South Carolina coach Chad Holbrook does not have to be told that missing the NCAA tournament last season was unacceptable. He is as aware as anyone that the expectation at USC is to the postseason and to perform well.

But the fourth-year head coach wants his players focused on playing well every day, not looking ahead to the summer.

“I’m not looking at this year any different than I did last year or my second year or my first year. It’s not any different to me. We want to perform at a high level. We want to be one of the best teams in the country,” Holbrook said Thursday. “I’m not going to get caught looking at what’s going on in June. We’re going to try to win tomorrow and take it one day at a time. I know that’s coaches speak, but honestly that’s my mentality.”

The Gamecocks finished with 32 wins in 2015, their fewest since 1996. Fans were understandably upset, but rather than dwell on the past, USC worked hard this offseason to make 2015 was a one-year occurrence and not a trend.

Alex Destino, one of the Gamecocks’ leaders, said South Carolina has something to prove, not only to its fans and to the country, but also to themselves.

“We know we have a chip on our shoulder. We came up short of what we wanted last year. We don’t want to do that again,” he said. “We’re going to play our baseball, the baseball that we’ve been taught while we were here. We plan on being in Omaha in late June.”

In order for the Gamecocks to reach the postseason and potentially the College World Series, newcomers will have to play a major role.

USC’s leading returning hitter is outfielder Gene Cone, who batted .257 a year ago. Other returning starters include first baseman Alex Destino, second baseman DC Arendas and shortstop Marcus Mooney.

The Gamecocks also will work two new arms into the starting rotation in freshman Braden Webb and junior Taylor Widener.

Holbrook has repeatedly said he feels strong about his weekend rotation and position players and if they live up to their potential USC has the talent to get to the postseason and advance.

“I know the expectations of South Carolina baseball. I understand it. Our players do. We’re expected to perform at a high level. That’s why we coach here. That’s why our players come here,” Holbrook said. “It’s my intent that we’re going to play at a high level this year. I feel like we have a team that can do that. But I’m also anxious to see because we have so many new faces.”

This story was originally published February 18, 2016 at 8:40 PM with the headline "Lofty expectations still the norm as Holbrook, Gamecocks start 2016 season."