2024 Gamecock Baseball | 30-14 (11-10) | Wed, May 1 vs ETSU W 15-2 (7 innings)

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Last season: 42-21 (16-13), lost in Gainesville Super Regional
Final ranking: No. 17
Coach (record at school): Mark Kingston (180-130, six seasons)

The good news: The Gamecocks last season had one of their best seasons in recent years, winning 42 games (their most since 2016 and reaching super regionals for the first time since 2018). They were led by a high-powered offense that ranked third in the SEC in scoring (7.8 runs per game) and home runs per game (1.86). The core of that lineup is back, led by the All-American duo Cole Messina and Ethan Petry. The Gamecocks also return first baseman Gavin Casas, who formally opted out of the draft to return for his fourth year of college baseball. That trio accounted for 59 home runs last season, more than 162 teams nationally. To that core, South Carolina added veteran sluggers Blake Jackson (Charlotte), Kennedy Jones (UNC Greensboro) and Parker Noland (Vanderbilt), and again figure to have one of the SEC’s most powerful offenses.

The bad news: South Carolina last year battled injuries on the mound, which meant it didn’t have a regular rotation. But the Gamecocks had five pitchers drafted, who accounted for almost 300 innings and were some of their best arms. So, the pitching staff will look a little different. Matthew Becker and Eli Jones, who both started some last season, will anchor the rotation and closer Chris Veach returns. The Gamecocks have a pair of X-factors in righthanders Roman Kimball and Dylan Eskew. Kimball missed last season due to Tommy John surgery, while Eskew was still working his way back. Both have big stuff and if they can recapture their previous form, expect them to push into the rotation. Also of note will be how South Carolina fills the hole at shortstop left by Braylen Wimmer’s graduation. Sophomore Will Tippett is positioned to take over after last season splitting time between second base and the outfield.

Player to know: Ethan Petry, OF. Petry was the nation’s best true freshman a season ago, when he hit .376/.471/.733 with 23 home runs, a program record for a freshman. He’s a gifted all-around hitter who can drive the ball to all fields and shows impressive feel at the plate for a young slugger.

Path to Omaha: South Carolina hasn’t been to Omaha since 2012. To break that drought this season, the Gamecocks will need its new-look pitching staff to make a jump. They don’t have the kind of No. 1 starter that many top contenders do, but perhaps that pitcher will emerge over the course of the season, or their depth will make up for it. Either way, South Carolina won’t need its pitching staff to carry the load thanks to an offense that can put up crooked numbers in a hurry. After a strong 2023, the Gamecocks shouldn’t be taking a step back and could even push farther in 2024 with a little better injury luck or the right fit on the mound.

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