News digest, June 19

Bulldogs hire Triplett

Former Clemson player Russell Triplett is leaving his position as head coach at Newberry to take the same job at The Citadel.

Triplett, a West Columbia native, compiled a 418-278-1 record in 14 seasons at Newberry. He will replace former The Citadel standout player Tony Skole, who parted ways with his alma mater after the 2024 season.

"The opportunity to take the helm of a program with as much history, tradition and pure grit as The Citadel is a dream come true," Triplett said in a release issued by the school. "The entire process of interviewing for this position has been incredibly fulfilling, and I'd like to personally thank The Citadel's president, Gen. (Glenn) Walters, the Citadel Director of Athletics Mike Capaccio and every member of the search committee for putting their faith in my background, my experience and my vision. The Citadel ranks as one of those 'special places' within the college baseball community, and my entire family and I are thrilled to embrace the unique culture and dedicated alumni base that makes this institution exceptional."

The Citadel reported there were more than 60 applicants for the job.

Triplett was a four-year letterman at Clemson, helping the Tigers to a berth in the 2002 College World Series. He later played in the New York Met organization.

There was no immediate word from Newberry on a replacement for Triplett. Associate head coach Jay Snyder has been on staff 16 years.

S.C. college coaching changes, 2024

School	Departing coach	Replacement
Charleston Southern	Marc MacMillan	Karl Kuhn
Coastal Carolina	Gary Gilmore	Kevin Schnall
Francis Marion	Art Inabinet	Jeff Jefferson
Newberry	Russell Triplett
South Carolina	Mark Kingston	Paul Mainieri
The Citadel	Tony Skole	Russell Triplett
USC Upstate	Mike McGuire	Kane Sweeney
Winthrop	Tom Riginos	Mike McGuire

Transfer portal

* Aiden Aparacio, C, So., Wofford.

* Breton Cusic, RHP, Jr., Winthrop.

* Will Dorrell, OF, So., Winthrop.
* Cole Griffith, C/IF, Jr., Winthrop.

* Ben Hamacher, IF, So., College of Charleston.
* Billy Holmes, IF/OF, So., The Citadel.

* Will Holmes, LHP/1B, Jr., The Citadel.

* Jackson Martin, Util, Fr., Wofford.

* Will Morris, RHP, Jr., The Citadel.
* Drake Quinn, RHP, Sr., South Carolina.

* Anthony Ruocco, 2B, Fr., Winthrop.
* Peter Werth, OF, JR., Charleston Southern.

Commitments

* Donovan Ford, OF, Newberry, to Cincinnati.

* Koby Kropf, OF, USC Upstate, to Vanderbilt.

* Hayden Miller, C/1B, So., College of Charleston, to Middle Tennessee
* Jackson Phipp, LHP, South Carolina, to Jacksonville State.

* Carson Phillips, SS/OF, USC Beaufort, to Georgia College.
* Landon Slemp, LHP, The Citadel, to Austin Peay.

* Logan Spivey, RHP, Erskine, to Georgia.
* Sam Swygert, RHP, The Citadel, to Georgia Tech.