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The South Carolina baseball team received some unfortunate news surrounding the status of a starting pitcher this weekend during a series vs. Arkansas. Dylan Eskew was unable to make his Sunday appearance after suffering a bizarre injury.
The pitcher is in concussion protocol after being hit with friendly fire in batting practice. A teammate unintentionally struck Eskew leading to the unexpected scratch.
I’ve been told by a USC spokesperson that Dylan Eskew, who was supposed to start today, was hit in the head by a home run that landed in the bullpen during batting practice yesterday. He’s currently in concussion protocol.
Jarvis Evans Jr. will get the start on the mound today.
— Jack Veltri (@Jacktveltri) March 23, 2025
A Gamecocks batter reportedly hit a BP home run before their Saturday game. That long ball landed in the bullpen beyond the outfield fence.
Arkansas’s home ballpark houses both bullpens in the outfield, with the home side being down the right field line and the visitors being beyond the left field wall. It can be a dangerous place for unsuspecting pitchers warming up before or during games.
Dylan Eskew was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He found out the hard way about that potentially hazardous location.
His absence is a major blow for the South Carolina baseball team. The senior’s posted an incredible 1.77 ERA across five starts. He’s allowed just eight hits, and no home runs, while recording 22 strikeouts in 20.1 innings.
With the righty out of the lineup, lefty Jarvis Evans Jr. was forced to make the emergency start. He’s gone 3-0 in four starts with a 3.09 ERA. He’ll try to fill the void following the bizarre injury as South Carolina looks to salvage Game 3 of the set. Eskew, meanwhile, will continue through concussion protocol and hope to return to the bump next weekend.