(Spartanburg’s Fifth Third Park about ready for opening day. Photo by David Dykes)

In partnership with the Texas Rangers, the Hub City Spartanburgers announced their preliminary roster for the inaugural 2025 season.

The Spartanburgers begin the campaign with five of the Rangers’ top 30 prospects per MLB Pipeline, and the Rangers’ top three draft picks from 2024.

The 30-man roster is made up of 17 pitchers and 13 position players.

Hub City welcomes 17 players who finished their 2024 season with the High-A (now Low-A) Hickory Crawdads; nine of the new Spartanburgers wrapped up their 2024 campaigns with the now-defunct Down East Wood Ducks.

Two Spartanburgers join the team from last year’s season-ending Double-A Frisco roster.

Five Spartanburgers were tabbed as top 30 prospects in the Rangers organization by MLB Pipeline, and six made Baseball America’s Preseason Top 30 list.

Catcher Malcolm Moore, 2024 first-round draft choice, is the highest-rated Hub City player in both publications, coming in at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.

Both publications also view outfielder Dylan Dreiling, the Rangers’ second-round pick in 2024, as a top 10 prospect.

Infielder Casey Cook, who played collegiately at UNC-Chapel Hill, was the Rangers’ third-round pick in 2024, and ranks at No. 25 on Baseball America’s index.

The Rangers’ new High-A affiliate is led by manager Chad Comer, who remains on the top step after two years as the manager of the Hickory Crawdads.

Hitting coach Drew Sannes, pitching coach Julio Valdez and development coaches Elevys Gonzalez and Jay Sullenger round out the staff.

Hub City opens the season April 4 on the road, with three games against the Aberdeen IronBirds, High-A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.

The Spartanburgers then travel to Delaware to face the Nationals’ High-A Affiliate, the Wilmington Blue Rocks, in a six-game series.

Opening Night at Fifth Third Park is April 15 against the Bowling Green Hot Rods, High-A Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. 

The South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) announced that High Noon Sun Sips, made by Gallo at its Fort Lawn facility, has been named the “Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina” for 2025.

The announcement was made during a press conference at the State House following a month-long contest — Manufacturing Madness: The Coolest Thing Made in SC — that drew 220,969 votes from across the globe.

“We are proud to have an opportunity to celebrate Gallo’s High Noon Sun Sips as the Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina,” said Sara Hazzard, president and CEO of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance.

Hazzard added, “This award recognizes the innovation, vision and creativity of the entire team at Gallo, which has been committed to operational excellence, quality and community engagement. Their hard work is exactly why South Carolina continues to be a manufacturing leader worldwide.”

Gov. Henry McMaster, who announced the winner at the event, praised South Carolina’s manufacturing industry as a cornerstone of the state’s success.

“Manufacturing drives opportunity for families and communities across our state, and we count on our manufacturing industry's workforce to help pave our path to lasting prosperity," McMaster said.

The governor added, "We take great pride in what we make in South Carolina and our corporate citizens, like Gallo. We welcome every opportunity to celebrate the products made here that serve people across the country and around the world.”

Gallo’s High Noon Sun Sips beat out three other finalists: the 787 Dreamliner made by Boeing South Carolina in North Charleston; the Ultra HD MicroCore SpiderWeb Ribbon Fiber Optic Cable manufactured by AFL in Duncan; and the ClimateCool Smartbed produced by Sleep Number in Irmo.

Gallo opened its Fort Lawn facility in 2022 with a $423 million investment and now employs 350 associates.

The site produces 1,000 cans of High Noon per minute, offering 20 different flavors of vodka and tequila seltzers made with real fruit juice and sparkling water.

In addition to its production success, Gallo has made community engagement a priority in Chester County and beyond.

The facility’s team has donated appliances to local centers, supported children’s homes with repairs, and volunteered for events like food drives, health walks, and local festivals.

Now in its fourth year, the Manufacturing Madness contest — sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina — celebrates the products, people, and craftsmanship of South Carolina’s manufacturing sector.

Previous winners include Nucor Steel Berkeley’s Steel, Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Fighting Falcon, and Honda’s Talon 1000R-4.

Gov. Henry McMaster on March 26, 2025, released the following statement on the confirmation by the State Senate of Brigadier General Robin B. Stilwell as South Carolina's Next Adjutant General: 

"Brigadier General Stilwell's years of experience and proven leadership within the South Carolina National Guard have prepared him to take on this critical role," McMaster said.

The governor added, "I know that he will continue to serve our state with honor and distinction, ensuring the Guard remains ready to protect South Carolinians and support our communities in times of need."

In February, McMaster appointed Stilwell to serve as Adjutant General. 

Stilwell, who was director of the Joint Staff for the South Carolina National Guard, succeeds Major General Van McCarty, who was retiring after serving in the position since 2019. 

“As Adjutant General, there are responsibilities to protect critical infrastructure, maintain equipment and facilities, manage a budget, and train soldiers for missions both at home and abroad. But the most important responsibility is taking care of the Military Department’s people," Stilwell said when he was appointed. 

Stilwell deployed to Afghanistan as an Embedded Team Trainer in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2007 through 2008.

He again deployed to Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian from 2012 through 2013, where he served as Chief of Staff of Multinational Battle Group – East.

He deployed to Kuwait from 2020 through 2021 as Deputy Chief of Staff FWD for U.S. Army Central Command. He has commanded the 4-118 Infantry Battalion, headquartered in Union, S.C., the 678th Air Defense Artillery Brigade located in Eastover, S.C., and the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Charleston, S.C.

He has received numerous recognitions, including the Legion of Merit with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with Two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters and One Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, among many others. 

Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina (GIUMSC) announced the launch of its groundbreaking Clean Tech Accelerator, a first-of-its-kind training initiative in South Carolina designed to equip individuals with the skills and certifications needed for careers in the booming HVAC and heat pump industry.

Funded through a grant from Goodwill Industries International, the transformative program will serve GIUMSC’s 16-county region across the Upstate and Midlands, offering opportunities for participants to gain in-demand technical skills, wraparound support, and direct pathways to high-paying jobs.

“The Clean Tech Accelerator is a game-changer,” said Patrick Michaels, president and CEO of GIUMSC. “With HVAC and heat pump installation jobs growing at an astonishing rate of 13 percent nationally over the next five years, we are addressing a critical workforce need while empowering individuals with career opportunities that provide stability and growth.”

The Clean Tech Accelerator will launch its first class in July, followed by a second round of classes in September.

Participants will engage in a five-week, full-time paid training program ($15/hour, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week) that covers essential HVAC and heat pump installation skills, leading to multiple industry-recognized certifications, including:

* EPA 608 Certification

* Climate & Community Lab’s HVAC/Heat Pump Installation Certificate

* OSHA-10 Certification

* CPR and First Aid Certifications

* Construction Basics Certification.

Graduates will be equipped with the expertise needed to install, maintain, and repair HVAC or heat pump systems in both residential and commercial settings, including the knowledge of refrigeration systems, ductwork, and thermostat controls. 

Officials said salaries in the field reach as high at $50/hour.

They said participants will receive career navigation services and essential wraparound assistance, including transportation support, utilities assistance, and more – ensuring they have the stability needed to focus on learning and career advancement.

Interested participants and employers looking to partner with the Clean Tech Accelerator can learn more by emailing [email protected] or going to https://www.goodwillsc.org/career-services/pathways/clean-tech/.