ROCK HILL, S.C. -- The Winthrop baseball program begins fall practice Tuesday, Sept. 30, under second-year head coach Mike McGuire.

"We are very excited to get on the field as one group," McGuire said. "It's been evident during the last four weeks of individual work that we have a talented roster, and now we get to grow as a team and compete over the next 45 days."

The Eagles return 16 players from last year's club that won 31 games in McGuire's first season, a dramatic jump from the 19 victories in 2024. Headlining the returners are All-Conference performers Gabe Natividad, Harrison Wilson and Josh Skowronski, along with All-Tournament selection Jaylen Hernandez.

"I really like our returning nucleus," McGuire said. "They're a year older, more mature, more experienced and more physical. The development of these 16 players over the last year has been tremendous, and they set the standard for how we work, compete and raise expectations."

Winthrop adds 22 newcomers this fall, 16 transfers and six freshmen, in McGuire's first full recruiting class.

"Coach Perry, Coach Napolitano and Coach Miller did a great job with this group," McGuire said. "We needed more athleticism, versatility and physicality, and we accomplished that. We also added pitching depth and front-line arms. It's going to be an exciting fall as our talented additions blend with a strong core of returners."

Practice opens Sept. 30 and includes Scout Day on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 6 p.m., plus numerous intrasquad scrimmages. Winthrop will host three outside opponents at Founders Park:
    •    Friday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m. – Ontario Nationals
    •    Sunday, Oct. 19, 1 p.m. – Queens University
    •    Saturday, Nov. 1, 1 p.m. – Georgia Southern

"We compete against each other so much during the fall, it's always nice to face someone in a different uniform," McGuire said.

The program will also host Alumni Weekend Nov. 7-9, highlighted by Fall World Series games Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. and Nov. 9 at noon. The final day of fall practice is tentatively set for Thursday, Nov. 13.

Fans can follow Winthrop baseball on social media (@WinthropBSB on X (Twitter), @WinthropBaseball on Instagram and Facebook) for schedule changes and additional intrasquad updates. All scrimmages and intrasquads are open to the public.