Paul Mainieri’s Gamecocks vs. Chad Holbrook’s Cougars? It’s happening this fall

Paul Mainieri’s first announced game as South Carolina’s head baseball coach will take place a few months earlier than expected.

Granted, it’s an exhibition, but Mainieri will be in the dugout nonetheless.

At 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, South Carolina will travel to the coast and play a fall scrimmage at the College of Charleston, the Cougars announced on Friday.

College of Charleston is led by former South Carolina head coach Chad Holbrook, who put a video on X to share his excitement about the game.

“It’ll be a great opportunity to see Coach Mainieri’s first team in action for all you Gamecock fans,” Holbrook said. “I can’t thank Coach Mainieri, Coach (Ray) Tanner and former Cougar (coach and current USC assistant) Monte Lee — can’t thank you enough for this opportunity.”

South Carolina is coming off a 37-25 season in which it lost in the NCAA Regional and fired head coach Mark Kingston after seven seasons.

Charleston, meanwhile, won 41 games but the Cougars were left out of the NCAA Tournament.

The November game will include food trucks, vendors and “exclusive baseball merch,” according to College of Charleston.

“Tickets to be announced soon,” Charleston said in its announcement.