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South Carolina baseball coach Paul Mainieri discusses team's struggles after loss to Clemson
Mainieri says the team needs to improve in all phases of the game as they prepare for SEC play
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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South Carolina baseball head coach Paul Mainieri spoke to the media following the team's 7-2 loss to Clemson on Sunday. Mainieri acknowledged the team's offensive struggles, with only four hits in each of the last three games, and said the pitching staff needs to improve its command and control. He expressed confidence that the team will continue to work hard and improve as the season progresses, but admitted the team has more work to do before SEC play begins.
Why it matters
This series against in-state rival Clemson was seen as an important early-season test for the Gamecocks as they prepare for SEC play. The team's inability to build on their strong opening game performance has raised some concerns among fans about the team's readiness for the challenging conference schedule ahead.
The details
In the loss, starting pitcher Riley Goodman struggled with his command, walking two batters and hitting another. Mainieri said Goodman had a 35-pitch second inning and they debated whether to send him back out for the third inning, ultimately deciding to remove him after he walked the leadoff batter. Mainieri took responsibility for the team's overall performance, saying they need to improve in every phase of the game.
- The Gamecocks lost to Clemson 7-2 on Sunday, March 2, 2026.
The players
Paul Mainieri
The head baseball coach for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.
Riley Goodman
A South Carolina pitcher who struggled with his command in the loss to Clemson, walking two batters and hitting another.
Erik Bakich
The head baseball coach for Clemson University, who made comments that Mainieri chose not to respond to.
What they’re saying
“I don't know what to say. Four hits a game for three straight days is obviously something that we got to get better at. You need a phenomenal starting pitching performance if you're only going to get four hits in a game.”
— Paul Mainieri, Head Baseball Coach, University of South Carolina (on3.com)
“We just got to put it all together. The season's still early. It's disappointing as heck to have won the first game and then not win the series. We've got a lot of games left, and we're going to keep working with them. I don't know what else to tell you. We're going to work with them and keep trying to stay positive.”
— Paul Mainieri, Head Baseball Coach, University of South Carolina (on3.com)
What’s next
The Gamecocks have a busy week ahead with five games, which will test their pitching staff. Mainieri hopes the team can build on the positives from the opening game and correct the issues that led to the losses in the final two games of the Clemson series.
The takeaway
This series against Clemson highlighted the work the Gamecocks still need to do to be ready for the challenging SEC schedule. While Mainieri remains confident the team will improve, the inability to build on the opening game performance has raised some concerns among fans about the team's readiness for conference play.
