Gamecock Star Ethan Petry’s Remarkable College Career Ends Amid Injury and Disappointment
COLUMBIA, SC – Ethan Petry’s college baseball journey didn’t end the way anyone hoped. After a breakout freshman season that saw him become one of the University of South Carolina’s most iconic sluggers, his career concluded not with a victory lap, but from the sidelines of the SEC Tournament.
A shoulder injury—specifically a sprained AC joint suffered chasing a fly ball during an April 27 loss to Kentucky—sidelined Petry for most of the final stretch. Unable to return in time, he missed 11 of the last 12 games. South Carolina’s season came to an early end, failing to advance in the tournament and missing the postseason for the fifth time in ten years.
Though Petry is eligible to return for his senior year, he’s widely projected to be selected in the first round of the upcoming MLB Draft. That makes a return unlikely, closing the book on a brilliant but bittersweet college career.
Petry leaves USC with impressive numbers: a .336 career batting average, 162 RBIs, and 54 home runs—just eight shy of breaking Justin Smoak’s school record of 62. He hit .321 with 10 homers and 34 RBIs this season alone.
Reflecting on his goals earlier this year, Petry had said, “I want to win — I want to go to Omaha so bad.” He came close as a freshman when South Carolina nearly made it to the College World Series, falling just two wins short. Subsequent seasons, however, saw the team decline.
Despite the injury, Petry attempted a comeback late in the season. He played against Winthrop but struggled and re-aggravated his shoulder, missing the final SEC Tournament appearance.
“He didn’t have to try to come back, but he did,” said head coach Paul Mainieri. “He gave it a shot, and we really respect that.”
Even after a coaching change, Petry chose to stay at South Carolina when others may have transferred. He gave his all to the program, even when circumstances didn’t align in his favor.
While his college career ends without the postseason glory he hoped for, Petry’s impact on the program is undeniable. Yet, for all he accomplished, his story will linger with one question:
What might have been.
