South Carolina’s baseball program is set to use the autumn months to fine‑tune its roster with a series of exhibition games against external opponents. The schedule, announced this week, features four contests spread across the state, each serving as a low‑stakes opportunity for players and coaches to experiment with new lineups before the spring season begins.
Fall exhibition schedule
The first of those matchups arrives on Friday, October 9, when the Gamecocks host High Point at Founders Park, with first‑pitch slated for 4 p.m. Admission for this game will be free, making it an accessible early‑season event for local fans.
A week later, on Friday, October 16, the team travels to Segra Park to face the College of Charleston. The game is set for a 6:30 p.m. start, and tickets will go on sale August 28, providing a modest revenue stream for the host venue.
The third exhibition returns to Founders Park on Friday, October 23, as Winthrop visits Columbia for a 4 p.m. contest. Like the opening game, this scrimmage will also be open to the public at no charge, reinforcing the Gamecocks’ tradition of community‑focused events.
The final fall showdown is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, when Duke rounds out the slate at Fifth Third Park with a 1 p.m. start. Ticket information for this game has not yet been released, but the matchup promises a high‑profile finish to the exhibition series.
The NCAA’s 2018 rule change, which permits Division I programs to play up to four fall exhibitions without jeopardizing their spring schedules, underpins this expanded slate. By allowing teams to schedule additional practice games, the policy aims to give players more on‑field time during the off‑season while preserving the integrity of the regular season calendar.