HOLMES TOWNSHIP — Grant McGuire is a pretty good basketball player about to enjoy his senior season.
But baseball is his first love, and he has committed to continue his career on the diamond next year and beyond at University of South Carolina Upstate.
McGuire made it official at a ceremony in the media room at Wynford High School Tuesday by signing his letter of intent to attend USC Upstate next fall.
There are no second thoughts for the Royals’ senior third baseman.
“It’s just a blessing. I mean, it’s awesome. I’ve always wanted to do it,” McGuire said of committing to play Division I baseball. “It’s a dream of mine. And to be able to go and play with my uncle, that’s even better. It’s sweet.”
His uncle, Mike McGuire, is the head coach at USC Upstate. Coach Mike is familiar to many in Crawford County, who remember him not only as a great baseball player, but as a basketball player who helped lead Wynford to the state Final Four.
Coach McGuire will be entering his fifth season with the Spartans, including one shortened by COVID-19. Upstate has finished second in the Big South Conference each of the last three years, with Mike compiling an overall 143-65-1 record.
With that level of success at the Division I level, it’s unlikely that nepotism will be a factor in Grant’s playing career there.
“There’s some pressure, because I don’t want people to say, ‘You’re only playing cause your uncle’s the coach,’” Grant said. “I think I can prove myself.”
If accomplishments are any indication, he is exactly right. Grant has been named first team all-Ohio twice. Last year, he was a big part of the Royals’ 20-8 season record, including a 10-4 second-place finish in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference.
Grant led the league with a .500 batting average, five home runs, 15 doubles, 32 runs batted in, and 38 runs scored. He had some other local schools that recruited him and a couple in Michigan. But Upstate seemed the best fit.
“There were a few schools looking into me, but the best one, obviously, was Upstate,” Grant said. “(Uncle Mike’s) seen me play my whole life. He knows how I am and it’s just awesome to be able to go and play for him.
“It’s easier to go play with a guy who’s seen you play for a long time than someone who’s seen you play a couple times and wants you to come there.”
Grant’s high school coach is convinced he has college baseball potential.
“I am so happy that Grant is getting the opportunity to play the game he loves at the next level,” Wynford baseball coach Tom Smith said. “Grant works hard year-round and is fundamentally sound in all aspects of the game.
“His biggest challenge will be adjusting to the D1 pitching where he will see more pitch types that have better movement and more velocity,” Smith added. “I am confident that he will work hard and have success hitting at the next level.”
Grant agrees with the coach when it comes to the work he will need to succeed.
“It’s going to take a lot of hard work, but I’m up to it,” Grant said. “It’s fun, that’s the fun part — the work you put into it and the results — that’s the goal.”
USC Upstate competes in the Big South Conference with the likes of Charleston Southern, Furman, Gardner-Webb, High Point, Longwood, Mercer, Presbyterian, Radford, UNC Asheville, Winthrop, and Wofford. USC Upstate is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Grant plans to major in Business Administration.