South Carolina Baseball Kicks Off New Era Under Paul Mainieri
A new chapter has begun for South Carolina baseball as legendary baseball coach Paul Mainieri is leading the team in its opening series against Sacred Heart University at Founders Park this weekend. Friday’s game kicks off an exciting three-day series.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to coach at a prestigious and tradition-rich college baseball program,” Mainieri told Gamecocks Online. “I coached and competed against Ray Tanner for years and always had the greatest respect for him and the USC program. To now join with him on the same team and become a part of this program was simply something from which I could not walk away.”
Fans can catch all three games on SEC Network+, with game times set for 4 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, and noon Sunday.
The starting rotation sees senior Dylan Eskew leading off, with Matthew Becker and Jake McCoy handling games two and three.
Sacred Heart comes in riding high after posting a 35-23 record and claiming the Northeast Conference title last year. Under Pat Egan’s leadership, they’re joining the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference this season.
The Pioneers’ offense centers around first baseman Dante D’Amore and outfielder Zack Kovalchik.
Mainieri’s track record speaks volumes — a College World Series title from 2009 stands alongside six SEC Tournament championships and nine trips to Super Regionals during his time with LSU.
