South Carolina honors the 1975 team which became the first to earn a trip to the College World Series

**South Carolina Honors 1975 Gamecocks Baseball Team on 50th Anniversary of Historic College World Series Run**

On Friday, May 2, 2025, the University of South Carolina paid tribute to its 1975 Gamecocks baseball team, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the squad’s groundbreaking journey to the College World Series (CWS). The ceremony took place at Founders Park ahead of the Gamecocks’ matchup against Florida, celebrating the team that set a new standard for the program and laid the foundation for future success.

Under the leadership of head coach Bobby Richardson, a former New York Yankees second baseman, the 1975 Gamecocks posted an impressive 51–6–1 record. They secured the Atlantic Regional title by defeating The Citadel, Temple, and NC State, earning South Carolina its first-ever berth in the College World Series. In Omaha, the Gamecocks advanced to the championship game but fell to Texas, finishing as national runners-up.([Wikipedia][1], [Palmetto State Baseball][2], [Wikipedia][3])

The 1975 team featured standout players like pitcher Earl Bass, who achieved a remarkable 17–1 record with a 1.40 ERA, and first baseman Hank Small, who batted .390 with 19 home runs and 66 RBIs. Both Bass and Small received All-American honors for their exceptional performances. Additionally, players such as Steve Cook and Mark Van Bever were named to the College World Series All-Tournament Team, highlighting the depth of talent on the roster.([Palmetto State Baseball][2], [Wikipedia][4])

The pregame ceremony at Founders Park included the introduction of surviving members of the 1975 team, who were met with a standing ovation from fans. The tribute served not only as a celebration of their achievements but also as a reminder of the program’s rich history and enduring legacy.

The 1975 Gamecocks’ success marked a turning point for South Carolina baseball, signaling the program’s emergence as a national contender. Their journey to the College World Series laid the groundwork for future accomplishments, including multiple CWS appearances and national championships in 2010 and 2011.([Wikipedia][1])

As the university honored the 1975 team, it also recognized the lasting impact of their historic season, which continues to inspire current and future generations of Gamecock athletes.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Carolina_Gamecocks_baseball?utm_source=chatgpt.com “South Carolina Gamecocks baseball”
[2]: https://palmettostatebaseball.blogspot.com/2025/05/heffner-remembers-gamecocks-1975-cws.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Heffner remembers Gamecocks’ 1975 CWS team”
[3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975_NCAA_Division_I_baseball_season?utm_source=chatgpt.com “1975 NCAA Division I baseball season”
[4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975_NCAA_Division_I_baseball_tournament?utm_source=chatgpt.com “1975 NCAA Division I baseball tournament”