South Carolina Baseball & Softball Remain Unbeaten Ahead of Pivotal Weekend Showdowns
2025 has been a dream start for South Carolina on the diamond(s). As the Gamecock baseball and softball teams prepare for a crucial weekend against fierce rivals, both squads remain undefeated, a distinction shared only with the Oklahoma Sooners. Impressively, Carolina has more total wins in each sport than the defending national champions.
What makes this scorching start even more remarkable? Both head coaches—Paul Mainieri (baseball) and Ashley Chastain Woodard (softball)—are in their first seasons leading their respective programs.
- Mainieri’s squad is 9-0, tying a South Carolina baseball record for the longest undefeated start by a first-year head coach.
- Chastain Woodard’s softball team is 16-0, setting an all-time program record for best season start.
- The Gamecocks also lead the nation with 11 run-rule victories.
Baseball Faces Early Defining Test Against Clemson
For Mainieri’s baseball team, this weekend’s rivalry series against Clemson will be the most critical test until SEC play begins in mid-March. While USC has dominated early opponents, this will be their first true challenge. The 13th-ranked Tigers will serve as a litmus test for the Mainieri era.
A series win could vault the Gamecocks into the top-25 rankings and solidify their national legitimacy. A series loss could raise concerns until conference play provides further opportunities.
Last season, Clemson, led by Erik Bakich, took two straight from Mark Kingston’s Gamecocks before weather cut the series short.
Softball Seeks Revenge Against Duke
On the softball field, Ashley Chastain Woodard leads her alma mater into a high-stakes revenge series against Duke. Last season, the Blue Devils ended South Carolina’s season in the NCAA Tournament. Now, USC heads to Durham for their first road games of the year.
Meanwhile, Marissa Young’s Duke squad enters the series riding a 10-game winning streak after playing its first home game on Thursday.
A Gamecock series win would skyrocket USC up the national rankings and put them firmly in the conversation for hosting an NCAA Tournament Regional.
Busy Weekend for Gamecock Fans
Unfortunately for Gamecock Nation, baseball and softball fans will have to juggle overlapping schedules:
Friday & Saturday Slate
- Baseball:
- Friday – 5:00 p.m. first pitch at Clemson (ACC Network Extra via ESPN app).
- Saturday – 1:30 p.m. in Greenville (SEC Network+).
- Softball:
- Friday – 6:00 p.m. at Duke (ACC Network Extra).
- Saturday – 1:00 p.m. at Duke (ACC Network Extra).
- Men’s Basketball:
- Saturday – 1:00 p.m. vs. Arkansas at Colonial Life Arena (SEC Network).
Sunday’s Action-Packed Lineup
- Softball: Noon at Duke (ACC Network Extra).
- Women’s Basketball: 2:00 p.m. at Colonial Life Arena (ESPN).
- Baseball: 5:00 p.m. at Founders Park (SEC Network+), as the Gamecocks aim to clinch the series finale against Clemson.
With both programs on historic runs, this weekend could be a defining moment for South Carolina’s rise in 2025.
