The Daily Gamecock

PHOTOS: South Carolina sweeps opening series 3-0, pitching highlights the weekend

The South Carolina Gamecocks swept the Sacred Heart Pioneers 3-0 in their home opening series of the 2025 baseball season. The weekend marked the first games played under new head coach Paul Mainieri and featured a field dedication ceremony on Feb. 15 to former baseball coach and athletic director Ray Tanner. The Gamecocks will face Winthrop University (away) and Queens University (home) next, on Feb. 18 and Feb. 19 respectively.

Assistant Coach John Hendry fist bumps Gamecock Baseball player after successful run in Founder's Park on Feb. 16, 2025. The Gamecocks celebrated a 8-0 win against Sacred Heart during opening weekend 2025.
Assistant Coach John Hendry fist bumps Gamecock Baseball player after successful run in Founder's Park on Feb. 16, 2025. The Gamecocks celebrated a 8-0 win against Sacred Heart during opening weekend 2025.
A young Gamecock baseball fan sandstorms with their parent in Founder's Park on Feb. 16, 2025 to celebrate a Gamecock home run. Sandstorm serves as a celebraroty tradition in athletics at the University of South Carolina.
A young Gamecock baseball fan sandstorms with their parent in Founder's Park on Feb. 16, 2025 to celebrate a Gamecock home run. Sandstorm serves as a celebraroty tradition in athletics at the University of South Carolina.
Junior outfielder Nathan Hall and Junior infielder Henry Kaczmar stand for the national anthem before the home opener against Scared Heart for the University of South Carolina baseball team on Feb. 14, 2025. The Gamecocks defeated the Pioneers 5-3.
Junior outfielder Nathan Hall and Junior infielder Henry Kaczmar stand for the national anthem before the home opener against Scared Heart for the University of South Carolina baseball team on Feb. 14, 2025. The Gamecocks defeated the Pioneers 5-3.
Senior outfielder Evan Stone returns to the dugout after handing young Gamecock fans a fly ball in Founder's Park on Feb. 16, 2025 to celebrate a Gamecock home run. The Gamecocks celebrated a 8-0 win against Sacred Heart during opening weekend 2025.
Senior outfielder Evan Stone returns to the dugout after handing young Gamecock fans a fly ball in Founder's Park on Feb. 16, 2025 to celebrate a Gamecock home run. The Gamecocks celebrated a 8-0 win against Sacred Heart during opening weekend 2025.
Senior catcher Talmadge LeCroy hits the ball to center field during the game against Sacred Heart on Feb. 14, 2025. The Gamecocks won their home opener 5-3.
Senior catcher Talmadge LeCroy hits the ball to center field during the game against Sacred Heart on Feb. 14, 2025. The Gamecocks won their home opener 5-3.
A Gamecock baseball player signs autographs for young fans after 8-0 defeat against Sacred Heart in Founder's Park on Feb. 16, 2025. The Gamecocks celebrated opening weekend with great weather in their final game after a rainy weekend in Columbia, South Carolina.
A Gamecock baseball player signs autographs for young fans after 8-0 defeat against Sacred Heart in Founder's Park on Feb. 16, 2025. The Gamecocks celebrated opening weekend with great weather in their final game after a rainy weekend in Columbia, South Carolina.
Senior catcher Talmadge LeCroy rounds third base on a hit ball in a game against Sacred Heart University on Feb. 15, 2025 at Founders Park. LeCroy later scored on a fly out from senior outfielder Dalton Mashore.  
Senior catcher Talmadge LeCroy rounds third base on a hit ball in a game against Sacred Heart University on Feb. 15, 2025 at Founders Park. LeCroy later scored on a fly out from senior outfielder Dalton Mashore.  
A Gamecock baseball player celebrates in the dugout in Founder's park on Feb. 16, 2025. The Gamecocks celebrated a 8-0 win against Sacred Heart during opening weekend 2025.
A Gamecock baseball player celebrates in the dugout in Founder's park on Feb. 16, 2025. The Gamecocks celebrated a 8-0 win against Sacred Heart during opening weekend 2025.
Senior catcher Talmadge LeCroy waits for the pitch during the game versus Sacred Heart on Feb. 14, 2025. The Gamecocks won their home opener 5-3 against the Pioneers.
Senior catcher Talmadge LeCroy waits for the pitch during the game versus Sacred Heart on Feb. 14, 2025. The Gamecocks won their home opener 5-3 against the Pioneers.