As new South Carolina baseball coach Paul Mainieri and his new staff of Monte Lee (associate head coach/hitting coach), Terry Rooney (pitching coach/recruiting coordinator), and John Hendry (assistant coach/assistant pitching coach/assistant recruiting coordinator) work to flip the Gamecock roster, a theme seems to be developing.
Since the offseason started for USC less than three weeks ago, there have been two players from the Palmetto State who have committed to the program. Class of 2025 left-handed pitcher Luke Roupe and Winthrop transfer right-handed pitcher Caleb Jones are among the players who have announced their next intentions to wear garnet and black.
That number grew to three on Friday.
JL Mann High School alum and Tennessee Volunteers left-handed pitcher Wyatt Evans entered the transfer portal earlier in June and revealed his plan on Friday to return home and pitch for the South Carolina baseball program.
Excited for my next chapter! All glory to God! #gococks pic.twitter.com/Vb02wC2fpN
— Wyatt Evans (@WyattEvans03) June 21, 2024
Evans was one of the many players who leaked out of the state during Mark Kingston's run as the head coach in Columbia. After a strong freshman year with the SEC rival in Knoxville, Evans battled arm soreness in 2023 that caused him to redshirt. His lost role within the UT pitching staff continued in 2024 as he was not a factor for the team that is playing for a National Championship this weekend.
As a highly touted recruit in the class of 2021 who had a really good opening act in the SEC in 2022, there should be some optimism that Terry Rooney can help Evans figure some things out and become a contributor for the Gamecocks in 2025.
Evans has two years of eligibility remaining to play for his home-state team. He will join a pitching staff that should be loaded with talent but that is devoid of experienced depth (especially in the starting rotation), meaning opportunities to contribute could be plentiful.