South Carolina RHP Ryder Garino enters NCAA Transfer Portal

South Carolina right-handed pitcher Ryder Garino has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. Garino only spent one season with the Gamecocks. He made 16 appearances and one start this past season.

In 24.2 innings on the mound, Garino posted a 5.84 ERA. He tallied 34 strikeouts while only throwing 13 walks. He gave up just 18 hits on the season and only threw one wild pitch. Garino had an opponent batting average of .205.

Ryder Garino played high school baseball at Cherry Hill West High School (NJ). He was the No. 500 overall player and No. 334 right-handed pitcher in the 2024 recruiting cycle, according to Perfect Game.

Garino boasted a 0.39 ERA in his senior year at Cherry Hill West, allowing just 27 hits while striking out 94 batters with three earned runs in 53 innings of work. For his efforts, he was named the 2024 New Jersey Pitcher of the Year.

“He wanted, demanded, expected it. Even in the toughest environments, he wanted the ball. Ryder was very confident in his ability,” Cherry Hill West coach Dan McMaster said last summer. “It was his confidence and willingness to always demand the ball in the biggest spots. He’s a guy who pitched in plenty of big spots and never backed down from a challenge. He embraced his role and thrived in high-energy situations.

“No moment was too big. To win a lot of high-level games, you need to have a true ace. He gave us a chance to win every game.”

Now, Garino will look to provide a different program with his talents. McCaster seemingly believes Garino is only getting started.

“I remember telling him as a sophomore that one day he’d be an All-South Jersey pitcher,” McMaster said. “He delivered on that potential and then some. We and he had high hopes, but he exceeded those expectations. I still think he’s just scratching the surface.

“His delivery is free and easy, and a lot of his success is based on his ability to throw three pitches in any count. He’s not just beating kids with velocity. He’s going to get bigger and stronger, and he’s going to be really scary in a couple of years.”

South Carolina baseball had a down year, posting a 28-29 overall record and a 6-24 mark in conference play. In turn, the Gamecocks missed the NCAA for the first time since 2022.