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South Carolina survives James Madison on game-tying HR from Cole Messina, walk-off sac fly in 10th
By Paul Harvey
Published:
South Carolina is in the win column at the Raleigh Regional, but the Gamecocks were pushed to the limit by James Madison in the opener.
With the pitching of the Gamecocks struggling, James Madison scored 3 runs each in the 5th and 6th innings to build a 7-5 lead. That score stood that way until the bottom of the 9th inning when Cole Messina stepped to the plate with 1 runner on and 2 outs.
Messina delivered, blasting a 2-run blast out of left field to tie things up and give new life to the Gamecocks. It was Messina’s only hit of the game, but he was on-base a lot with 3 walks on the afternoon.
WE ARE TIED!!!
️ ESPN+#Gamecocks | #ForeverToThee pic.twitter.com/WklXLOIf5z
— Gamecock Baseball (@GamecockBasebll) May 31, 2024
The score would stand at 7-all into the 10th inning. A costly throwing error by the Dukes with 1 out would set South Carolina up with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 1 out. Will Tippett would send the Gamecocks into the winner’s bracket with a sac fly deep to centerfield, driving in pinch runner Dylan Brewer for the victory.
GAMECOCKS WIN#Gamecocks | #ForeverToThee pic.twitter.com/Wr7T7cArTr
— Gamecock Baseball (@GamecockBasebll) May 31, 2024
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Tippett and Messina each delivered 2 RBI in the win while Blake Jackson led the Gamecocks with 3 RBI, including a 2-run home run in the 5th. The walk-off by South Carolina is the 2nd for the SEC so far on Friday after LSU’s Steven Milam delivered a walk-off home run to down Wofford.
With the win, South Carolina will move into Saturday’s winner’s bracket game against the winner of NC State vs. Bryant. Saturday’s game is set for 6 pm ET.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
