News digest, June 13

Gamecocks introduce Mainieri

Paul Mainieri was officially introduced as South Carolina's new baseball coach on Thursday at a press conference in Columbia.

Mainieri, most recently at LSU, coached teams to more than 1,500 victories,. including the 2009 national championship at LSU.

"This program is not in the doldrums," Mainieri said. "They're close. There's a lot of talent on this team ... I don't have a three-year plan; I don't have a five-year plan. I've got a one-year plan ... We're going to go out there are do the best that we can.  If we do a little more to supplement the team we have coming back through recruiting and the transfer portal, I don't see why we can't compete for everything right out of the game. I didn't come here to lose. I didn't come here to be mediocre."

Current Gamecocks assistant Monte Lee, former Central Florida head coach Terry Rooney and Virginia administrative assistant John Hendry complete the on-field staff.

Mainieri said he would work with the infielders' defense, while Lee would work with hitters and outfielders. Rooney is the pitching coach. 

"One thing I will never give in on is we're going to have a good defensive team, because if we want to have a great pitching team you've got to have great defense behind them."

Mainieri retired in 2021 before the transfer portal and NIL became important parts of the college game. He said he will rely on his assistants to help him  adjust to those aspects.

Mainieri press conference

Paul Mainieri took an official visit to USC
as a player in the 1970s, but did not get an offer
from then-coach June Raines. (USC photo) 

Winthrop targeting Spartans' McGuire

Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball reports Winthrop is expecting to hire Mike McGuire as its head baseball coach. McGuire, currently head coach at USC Upstate, is a former assistant at Winthrop.

Claflin seeking assistant

Claflin coach Jaylen Bledsoe is seeking a volunteer assistant coach for the 2025 season. According to a post on Bledsoe's X account, responsibilities would include coaching a position defensively, assisting with hitters, recruiting, throwing batting practice, hitting fungoes and other duties. Income possibilities could include giving lessons or helping with camps.  Email  jbledsoe@claflin.edu for more information.

Pioneers building schedule

Spartanburg Methodist College is working to build a 2025 schedule as it moves from junior college to four-year competition. The Pioneers are competing as an NAIA program. Contact Tim Wallace on X at @oldcoachtw11 or @gosmcbaseball.

Commitments

* Cayden Gaskin, IF, Northwest Florida State, to South Carolina
* Kensen Green, LHP, Spartanburg Methodist, to Queens

* David James, RHP, USC Upstate, to St. Bonaventure

* Daniel Jackson, C, Wofford, to Georgia