Everything Paul Mainieri said after Tuesday’s win over USC Upstate

Following a 13-3 win over USC Upstate, South Carolina head coach Paul Mainieri met with the media on Tuesday. Here’s everything he had to say.

Opening statement

“Well, it’s good to win a game. Dalton certainly gave us a big lift there in the first inning with the grand slam, and Petry’s two-run homer. But I knew these guys could hit, so I never really felt comfortable with the 6-0 lead. Thought Sucie came in and did a pretty admirable job, and the big out was when Marlatt came in with the bases loaded and got that out there and kept them, you know, I mean, one swing of the bat there with the bases loaded, and it’s we got ourselves a ballgame.

“But then I thought Jordan Carrion’s ball into the right field corner with the bases loaded was another big hit for us. And of course, Cayden Gaskin hitting the walk-off home run. That was a really cool moment for him. So it’s a good win for us to get our 20th win of the year. I didn’t think it would take this long to get to 20 wins, but at least we got there. So we’ll keep moving forward.”

You mentioned getting the 20 wins, you guys are 18-4 against non-SEC opponents. How do they keep bouncing back? And what is the resolve like in the locker room week in and week out?

“I’ve said this many times. You know, to be young again. They can shake it off pretty quickly, much better than 67-year-old coaches do. They got a lot going on in their lives with classes and social life and everything else. So it’s a good thing to have a short memory as a young player. This weekend, this past weekend, we had a wonderful win on Friday night and thought it would catapult us. And then we just got off to such a bad start on Saturday, dug ourselves a big hole right out of the gate, and then didn’t hit well. And then Sunday, we hit worse. And so it was a disappointing ending to the weekend. But again, you just got to look forward. And I thought this team was going to be tough tonight. I really did. They just came off a very emotional weekend themselves at High Point. That clean-up hitter, we couldn’t get them out tonight. Sweeney, Johnny Sweeney, Friday night, he had two home runs and I think seven RBIs. And I’m glad we didn’t have to face him with the game on the line. Quite frankly, he’s tough.

“Their whole team is tough. They’ve hit a lot of home runs. And they won the first two games at High Point and tied the game in the ninth inning on Sunday, but lost on a walk-off home run. So I know that they were a very confident bunch coming in here. And that’s where Dalton’s big swing there, we hadn’t been getting a lot of clutch hits, and that was a pretty clutch one there, not only to drive in a couple of runs, but they drove in four. I mean, I love grand slams more than just about anything I know. So it was a great start for us and, you know, the kids have resolve. It doesn’t do any good to just beat them down. If you don’t stay positive and upbeat with them, then they’re probably going to turn the other direction. You’ve got to stay upbeat with them and try to keep them believing in themselves. Hopefully, this win today will give us good momentum going into the weekend.”

What made tonight the night to get Dalton Mashore back into the lineup? I know he hasn’t played since the North Carolina game

“Well, he’s had the hip issue that’s been pretty bad. He had to have a procedure done and it’s been feeling pretty good. He had some sim at-bats the other day, and I think in his four at-bats, he had one really good base hit up the middle, but struck out a couple of times. His timing is a little off. But look, I knew we were facing a left-handed pitcher tonight. I know we’re going to face three left-handed pitchers this weekend. I just thought it was a good time to get him back in there. He’s feeling good.

“You haven’t even asked me about moving Petry to left field, but Mashore is one of the best outfielders I’ve ever had, coaching-wise, defensively. He plays right field as good as anybody, so I just feel like that’s an asset for him out there in right field. I know you probably haven’t been to College Station, Jack, but the sun is really a factor at their field. And I think just Mashore in right field against Texas A&M is going to be an asset for us too. So yeah, I thought it was time. And hey, look, I think we had 23 games left in the season. And this is his last year. And I just thought it was time to put him back in and let him play and see what he can do. Obviously, he did something really good. I wish he had another good at-bat the other time he was up, but he swung at a 3-2 changeup there out of the strike zone.”

Since you brought it up, what did you think of Ethan Petry in left field?

“He only had the one ball that he overran. And then he sailed one over the cut-off man. So I would not give it a very positive grade right now, but he didn’t have any other chances. I’m sure he’ll get better.”

That six-run sixth inning, four hits came with two strikes. What does that mean? If anything?

“Well, I think it’s a positive sign. I mean, we had a couple of poor at-bats in that inning, I believe, as well. But you can’t do it every time, and I’m just glad to see that we had some good two-strike approaches. You didn’t ask me about Jordan Carrion in the three-hole either. I told Jordan when he saw the lineup today, I was afraid he was going to have a heart attack. I don’t know if he’s ever batted three-hole in his college career, but he’s been such a clutch hitter for us, really, all year, and he came through again tonight for us.”

Did Dylan Eskew throw his bullpen today? If so, how did it go?

“He did throw one, and it was about as positive as it could be. I would not have believed that yesterday, because yesterday he was not feeling good at all, just trying to play catch. But today, he threw a bullpen and didn’t have any pain at all, and threw all those pitches. And now we’re gonna have to wait and see how he feels tomorrow after throwing. But it was as good as it could have gone today. So we have to just play it by ear tomorrow and see what he feels.”

Ryan Bakes hasn’t played in a little while, I don’t think. What made you want to get him in the lineup tonight? More ABs, more reps?

“Yeah, and he’s got power. We haven’t had much power all year. We hit three home runs tonight, not any by him, but I just wanted to give him a chance. I’ve given him some opportunities. He hasn’t really taken advantage of them, done that well with them. And tonight, he got one hit, but struck out a couple of times. So he did okay. I thought he caught a good game, but I just thought, you know, I mean, I was going to play Braland, and I just thought, you know what, let’s just see against the left-handed pitcher, maybe he’s an answer for us as well. Mixed results tonight.”

Any update on Talmadge LeCroy?

“Yeah, I’m afraid to announce that he’s probably out for the season. Unfortunately, I met with him today. He got an injection before we went to Mississippi State in his hip, and it just didn’t really help him much at all,” Mainieri said. “So I think he’s resolved to having to have a procedure that’s going to have a six or seven-week type of recovery, which takes us to the end of the season. So now we’re talking about the possibility of a medical redshirt. He actually does qualify for it, but barely. He would have had to have played in 18 or less games, and he’s played in 17. So that wasn’t by design. That was just really kind of blind luck. And then there’s another factor. He’s going to graduate this summer, so he’s going to have to make a decision whether or not he wants to play it and go to graduate school or get on with his life. But I think his season is over for this year.”

You’ve had a lot of guys starting behind the plate. Gavin Braland has started a lot recently, Max Kaufer started the other day, and Bakes tonight. At this point in the year, what do you kind of look for? What do you kind of prioritize at the catcher position in terms of finding a regular starter?

“Well, all our catchers are hitting under .200 so it’s not a lot of great options there from an offensive standpoint. So, you know, obviously, I’ve played Gavin Braland quite a bit because I think he’s an outstanding receiver, blocker of balls. He works well with the pitchers. He’s a young kid, and he’s gaining experience. I like Gavin.

“Kaufer really hasn’t taken advantage of the opportunities that he’s been given. I don’t know how else to say. I think he’s had 10 at-bats in SEC play with eight strikeouts. So, I mean, everybody’s getting a chance. This is the earn-it business we’re in. So I wish somebody would just have taken the bull by the horns and say I should be the starting catcher once Talmadge went down. But it’s really just kind of a gut feeling on who to go with. I’d love to see more offense out of the position, but it hasn’t really happened. So, you know, to see every day when I get up, what I feel is the best combination dealing with the pitcher that’s pitching and who should catch him, and that type of thing.”

With the short week, does your pitching for Texas A&M stay the same as it has been?

“I don’t know yet. I think we’ll announce it tomorrow. Terry and I are going to huddle up. There’s a chance it won’t be the same, but we’re just going to look at it. Of course. Jack asked earlier about Dylan Eskew, so that’ll have something to do with it, too. So I’m gonna sleep on it tonight, and we’ll announce tomorrow. I’m sorry, I don’t have the answer for you tonight.”

With Texas A&M, they obviously came in as the preseason number one and have struggled. What have you noticed about them? And do you think that what they did on Saturday against Tennessee kind of changes their perspective on the season?

“I’m not involved with their team, so I couldn’t begin to guess what they’re thinking or feeling about themselves. But it was pretty impressive what they did in that doubleheader against Tennesse. I think they hit seven home runs in the second game that day. Tennessee is a very small ballpark, and they usually use it to their advantage, but this time, it bit them in the other direction. But Mike’s a first-year head coach, Mike Earley, and he’s a good guy and a great coach, I think, always been a good hitting coach, and I know that’s been a big struggle for him this year.

“They got no-hit on Friday, and then turned around and scored 26 runs in two games the next day. So I would think that they’re feeling pretty good about themselves. Sometimes you think you’re going to catch a team at the right time, and all of a sudden, there they go and explode. But listen, I’ve always enjoyed going to College Station in Blue Bell Park. All my years, when I coached LSU, it was always a great environment. The fans are really into it, and they’ve always had good teams. So I’ve always enjoyed great competition. So got my wish to come in this weekend, I’m sure.”

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