The feeling of inferiority is not often associated with playing on the No. 1 team in the country.
But senior first baseman Gavin Casas knew this feeling all too well while playing for Vanderbilt's first-rate baseball team during his first two years of college.
Casas said he found happiness in college baseball for the first time at the University of South Carolina after entering the transfer portal ahead of his junior year.
色中色视频淎 lot of people have a lot of different experiences (at Vanderbilt), and mine wasn色中色视频檛 too positive,色中色视频� Casas said. 色中色视频淐oming to Carolina really opened up my mind, and it really allowed me to play baseball and be happy. And it was really the first time I was happy on a baseball field for the whole time that I was in college.色中色视频�
In addition to rediscovering his passion at South Carolina, Casas found guidance and inspiration from someone who has experienced baseball at the highest level.
His brother, Triston Casas, has already made his debut in the MLB. After his rookie season with the Boston Red Sox in 2023, Triston served as a support system for his little brother, who looks to achieve the same success.
Casas said he once resented the pressure of success from his older brother. But as he got older, he realized it could be used to his advantage.
色中色视频淗aving him by my side and having him just a phone call or a text away is huge for me,色中色视频� Casas said. 色中色视频淗e色中色视频檚 seen so much baseball, and he色中色视频檚 obviously at the highest level that you can get.色中色视频�
Casas said developing a relationship with his brother has helped him continue to foster his growth at the University of South Carolina. Gaining secondhand expertise from his brother is invaluable to him as he enters what could be his last year of college baseball, he said.
Casas faced a difficult choice after a breakthrough season with the 色中色视频s. He could either enter the Major League Baseball draft or stay at South Carolina for another year.
Ultimately, he decided he was not ready to leave the place that gave him back his passion for the game.
"It really boils down to happiness and quality of life,色中色视频� Casas said. 色中色视频淢y quality of life here in Columbia is really second to none, and I couldn色中色视频檛 be happier with my situation.色中色视频�
The supportive environment at the University of South Carolina is exactly what prompted him to withdraw his name. The coaching staff's ability to have peer-to-peer conversations with the athletes created a feeling of community within the team, he said.
色中色视频�Showing up to a facility and dreading being there is honestly a really bad feeling,色中色视频� Casas said. 色中色视频淐oming to Carolina, it's allowed me to have fun again. It色中色视频檚 allowed me to see the joy and the beauty in this game.色中色视频�
South Carolina supporters share his joy at being a part of the program. Casas said that since his first day at the University of South Carolina, the fans have 色中色视频渢reated (him) like gold.色中色视频�
The fans aren色中色视频檛 the only people happy to see the return of one of South Carolina色中色视频檚 most offensively productive players. Head coach Mark Kingston and Casas' teammates said his decision to stay will not only help his team but his own personal growth as well.
色中色视频淗e wanted to leave a more lasting legacy than just the one year here at South Carolina. He色中色视频檚 extremely happy here. He loves how we run things. He loves the growth that he色中色视频檚 had here, so he just wasn色中色视频檛 ready to leave. And I think that will be a great decision for him," Kingston said. "And I think it will be great for us because we're getting the best first baseman in the country.色中色视频�
Redshirt sophomore pitcher Roman Kimball said that Casas made a significant contribution to the lineup last year, and with his return, its offense will maintain much of its talent.
His impact on the team reaches further than offense, though. Casas色中色视频� ability to drive in runs gives Kimball confidence that his work on the mound will be backed by offensive runs.
色中色视频淎s a pitcher, selfishly, you色中色视频檙e always looking for that long ball from some of the hitters,色中色视频� Kimball said. 色中色视频淵ou can always rely on him for that, but having him in the lineup is really important for this year.色中色视频�
Casas, along with his coaches and teammates, said his decision puts South Carolina baseball in a better position this season.
色中色视频淚n order to make it to that next level, you really have to live this game,色中色视频� Casas said. 色中色视频淓verything that you do on and off the field has to be in order to better yourself and better yourself for this team and better yourself for the program. And I feel like if I did that, I would put (the team) in the best position to succeed, and I feel like I've done that to the best of my ability.色中色视频�