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Sammy Esposito

Position: Volunteer Assistant

Sammy Esposito is in his fifth season as assistant coach with the South Carolina baseball program. Esposito works with the hitters and catchers, coaches first base and is the coordinator for the Ray Tanner Baseball Camp.

The 2011 catching corps had a solid season behind the efforts of senior co-captain Brady Thomas and senior Robert Beary. The duo was dynamic in helping lead behind the plate a pitching staff that went 55-14 with a 2.45 ERA along with 536 strikeouts. The catchers allowed 38 stolen bases in 69 games. Beary fielded a solid .993 behind the plate and earned NCAA Regional MVP honors as well as College World Series All-Tournament team accolades. Thomas was also a CWS All-Tournament team recipient.

In 2010, Esposito helped lead a catching staff that included senior co-captain Kyle Enders, Brady Thomas and Richard Royal. The trio helped to catch a pitching staff that finished with a 3.45 ERA along with 625 strikeouts to 220 walks. The group also allowed just 43 stolen bases in 70 games. In addition, Enders finished his career with a .993 fielding percentage, the best career mark in school history. Enders was also an NCAA Regional All-Tournament team selection with Thomas earning CWS All-Tournament team honors in Omaha.

In 2009, Esposito worked with junior catcher Justin Dalles, who earned All-SEC honors and was a sixth round MLB draft selection by the Baltimore Orioles. Dalles, Kyle Enders and Brady Thomas were among the most efficient defensive catchers in the nation as well with just four errors behind the plate in 553 chances and only 27 stolen bases allowed in 63 games.

In 2008, Esposito also oversaw a strong catching trio in Enders, Phil Disher and Richard Royal that finished with just four errors as well. Disher was a 2008 MLB Draft selection by the Houston Astros.

Esposito came to Columbia in the fall of 2007 after two seasons on the Georgia Southern staff. A four-year letterwinner at NC State, Esposito is the son of former NC State head coach Sam Esposito, who coached South Carolina head coach Ray Tanner during his playing days. Tanner also served on Esposito's staff from 1981-87 before becoming his successor with the Wolfpack.

"I'm thrilled to have Sammy on our coaching staff," said Coach Tanner. "He is a great young coach, who brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to our program."

In addition to his two seasons with Georgia Southern, Esposito has also been involved with several baseball camps in the Southeast Region including South Carolina, NC State and Richmond. Esposito also served as an assistant coach in the Cape Cod League for the Yamouth-Dennis Red Sox. Y-D won the Cape Cod Championship in 2007 following a league-best record of 31-12-1 in the regular season.

Esposito lettered as a catcher at NC State from 1999-2002. He graduated from NC State with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology. He attended Broughton High School in Raleigh, N.C., where he was a two-time all-conference selection in baseball.

Esposito and his wife, the former Neal Webb, were married January 1, 2011.