Josh Gunther is set to make his long-awaited starting debut for the South Carolina Gamecocks as they prepare to take on their fierce rival, Clemson, this weekend. After initially aiming for a spot in the weekend rotation, he began the season in the bullpen, a decision that left both him and head coach Paul Mainieri disappointed. However, the opportunity has finally come, as Gunther will start the series opener on Friday night at Founders Park.
“It’s awesome,” Gunther expressed. “I came here for a reason, and I know how much this series means to all the Carolina fans and Clemson fans, alike. I’m really excited to get the opportunity to pitch against a good team and to compete.”
Mainieri’s decision to promote Gunther to the Friday starter role was influenced by a combination of trust in his potential and the right-hander’s previous experience facing Clemson during his time in the ACC. In three past outings against the Tigers, Gunther has only allowed a single run while recording five strikeouts over 2.2 innings.
“He’s kind of fearless,” Mainieri commented on Gunther’s mindset. “He’s got good stuff and he’s going to go out there and attack the hitters. I don’t think the ‘Friday Night Lights’ will be too big for him.”
Despite his earlier struggles, Gunther remains optimistic about correcting his previous outing against Army, where he gave up five runs over 3.1 innings of relief. The mental approach played a significant role in that performance, and he plans to focus on refining his command and keeping his mindset sharp.
While Gunther seeks to prove himself on the mound, the Gamecocks have restructured their rotation. Amp Phillips will retain his Saturday role, while Riley Goodman, the original Friday starter, will move to Sunday’s matchup. Mainieri remains optimistic about Goodman’s future despite this change, believing the adjustment will allow him to better acclimate before stepping into a starting role.
Additionally, pitcher Brandon Stone will transition to the bullpen as a strategic move to facilitate Gunther’s promotion. Mainieri clarified that this adjustment is not indicative of Stone’s performance but rather a necessity within the team framework.
The Gamecocks and Tigers will kick off their highly anticipated three-game series on Friday at 7 p.m. on SEC Network+, promising an exciting display of baseball rivalry. The pitching matchups for the series are set, with Gunther looking to establish himself in the lineup against Clemson’s Aidan Knaak, who has yet to allow a run this season.
As the season progresses, this pivotal game is sure to generate excitement among fans, raising hopes for a strong showing from the Gamecocks under the pressure of one of college baseball’s fiercest rivalries.