FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University baseball team opens its 2025 campaign in South Carolina this weekend with a three-game series against SEC opponent the University of South Carolina.
 
First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m. Friday evening at Founders Park, with Saturday's game to follow at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday at noon.
 
ON THE PIOS
The Pioneers finished their 2024 campaign as Northeast Conference (NEC) Regular Season Champions, falling to LIU in the NEC Championship final. SHU secured a 35-23 (25-8 NEC) record after being selected third in the NEC preseason poll.
 
SHU enters a new era of baseball as it heads into the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) this season. On Wednesday the Pioneers earned the third spot on the MAAC preseason poll and Dante D'Amore, Zack Kovalchik and Elijah Foster were all named to the Preseason All-MAAC Team.
 
SCOUTING THE GAMECOCKS
South Carolina finished fifth in the SEC East in the 2024 regular season with a 37-25 (13-17 SEC) record. The Gamecocks fell to LSU in the SEC Tournament but continued their run in their 35^th debut in the NCAA Regional tournament. The Gamecocks' season came to an end in a loss to JMU in game five of the tournament.
 
Ethan Petry was dangerous at the plate for the Gamecocks last season. The outfielder/infielder played in 61 games with eight doubles, a triple, 21 home runs and 53 RBIs while being named to the NCAA All-Raleigh Regional team and the CSC Academic All-District team. The junior has collected a pair of national preseason recognitions including the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Preseason All-America third team.
 
ON THE MOUND 
Sacred Heart
Friday: Joey Trombley (RHP)
                  2024 stats: 61.0 IP, 65 H, 37 R (29 ER), 25 BB, 39 K, 4.28 ERA
Saturday: Elijah Foster (RHP)
                  2024 stats: 59.2 IP, 47 H, 31 R (30 ER), 25 BB, 80 K, 4.53 ERA
Sunday: TBA
 
South Carolina
Friday: Dylan Eskew (RHP)
                  2024 stats: 62.2 IP, 58 H, 42 R (32 ER), 26 BB, 40 K, 4.60 ERA
Saturday: Matthew Becker (LHP)
                  2024 stats: 43.2 IP, 48 H, 34 R (33 ER), 18 BB, 60 K, 6.60 ERA
Sunday: Jake McCoy (LHP)
                  2024 stats: 16 IP, 14 H, 14 R (14 ER), 15 BB, 20 K, 7.88 ERA
 
The Pioneers will head to the DMV next weekend as they face Georgetown University Friday, February 21^st at 3:00 p.m.