Cole Messina played hero again to help South Carolina baseball score a victory over James Madison to begin the 2024 NCAA Tournament's Raleigh Regional.
Messina went deep with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game, then Will Tippett won it for the Gameco*cks in the 10th with a walk-off sacrifice fly.
Check out all the highlights, below:
South Carolina baseball live score updates vs. James Madison
FINAL: South Carolina 8, James Madison 7
It was JMU's turn to get hurt by its defense in the bottom of the 10th, when an errant throw on a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third for Will Tippett with just one out. Tippett delivered the fly ball USC needed, and the Gameco*cks claimed a walk-off win.
Bottom of the ninth inning: Cole Messina does it again for South Carolina
Cole Messina, so often the hero for the Gameco*cks at last week's SEC Tournament, drives a two-out, two-run homer to left to tie the game at seven and send it to extra innings.
Top of the ninth inning: Chris Veach keeps the deficit at two runs
Cole Messina threw out his third baserunner of the day to help Chris Veach through the top of the ninth. The Gameco*cks have the top of the order up as they look to rally.
After eight innings: James Madison 7, South Carolina 5
The Gameco*cks put two men on base in the seventh and eighth, but fail to cash in.
Bottom of the sixth inning: Kennedy Jones goes deep for South Carolina
Kennedy Jones slugged the third homer on the afternoon for the Gameco*cks, driving one out to dead center as USC looks to chip away again. His solo shot makes it 7-5 JMU.
Top of the sixth inning: James Madison responds, restores three-run lead
A throwing error by third baseman Talamadge LeCroy helps open the door for the Dukes, and they make it count. Brendan O'Donnell drives in a run with a two-out single, and Fenwick Trimble smokes a two-run double down the third base line to extend the advantage to 7-4.
Bottom of the fifth inning: Blake Jackson ties the game with a two-run shot for the Gameco*cks
Blake Jackson turns on an inside fastball and drives it over the wall in right field to complete South Carolina's response and tie the game 4-4. That gives him three RBIs on the afternoon.
Bottom of the fifth inning: Will Tippett goes yard for South Carolina
Will Tippett, whose strong defensive play saved a run previously, launches a no-doubter to left field to get USC a bit closer after the big James Madison inning, making it 4-2.
Top of the fifth inning: James Madison takes 4-1 lead
The Dukes' aggression on the basepaths pays off. After a double-steal positions runners at second and third with one out, Ryan Dooley rips a two-run single into right field to give James Madison the lead.
A batter later, JMU star Fenwick Trimble sends one into the right-center field gap to plate Dooley and make it a three-run advantage for the Dukes.
Top of the fifth inning: Eli Jones' day is done for South Carolina
Eli Jones departs with one out in the fifth after JMU notches a walk and a bunt single. He finishes with four strikeouts and four hits allowed. The only run against him is unearned, though he's responsible for the two baserunners reliever Ty Good will inherit.
James Madison 1, South Carolina 1 after three innings: Blake Jackson drives in first Gameco*ck run
Blake Jackson's RBI groundout with the bases loaded gets the Gameco*cks level. James Madison intentionally walks Cole Messina and gets Parker Noland to ground out to end the threat.
Bottom of the third inning: Gameco*cks chase James Madison starter Todd Mozoki
The Dukes are the first team to go to the bullpen after a single and two hit-by-pitches allowed South Carolina to load the bases with one out. Jackson Logan inherits the jam with Blake Jackson at the plate.
James Madison 1, South Carolina 0 after the top of the second inning
The Dukes threaten again after a throwing error by Cole Messina, but Will Tippet cuts down a runner trying to score on a grounder to shortstop to keep another unearned run from crossing the plate.
James Madison 1, South Carolina 0 after the top of the first inning: Gameco*cks' defensive struggles continue
Another defensive mistake costs South Carolina a run. Talmadge LeCroy throws wide to first after fielding a James Madison bunt, placing Dukes on second and third with one out. A groundout by Jason Schiavone plates Fenwick Trimble for an unearned run against USC starter Eli Jones.
Not a good start for the Gameco*cks, who struggled to play defense at the SEC Tournament last week.
What channel is South Carolina baseball vs. James Madison on today?
- Streaming: ESPN+ (subscribe here)
- Radio:Gameco*ck Sports Network
South Carolina baseball vs. James Madison: Start time
- Date: Friday, May 31
- Time: 2 p.m. ET
South Carolina baseball vs. James Madison prediction
South Carolina 8, James Madison 4. The Gameco*cks' strength of schedule should play a large factor in the NCAA Regional. South Carolina finished the year facing two of the best teams in the SEC before the lengthy SEC tournament run. JMU has offensive talent in Fenwick Trimble and Brendan O’Donnell, but the Gameco*cks have much more NCAA experience.
South Carolina baseball vs. James Madison location
- City: Raleigh, N.C.
- Venue: Doak Field at Dail Park
South Carolina baseball vs. James Madison lineups
South Carolina:
CF Austin Brinling
1B Ethan Petry
RF Blake Jackson
C Cole Messina
2B Parker Noland
LF Kennedy Jones
DH Dalton Reeves
3B Talmadge LeCroy
SS Will Tippett
P Eli Jones
James Madison
DH Ryan Dooley
CF Fenwick Trimble
2B Mike Mancini
C Jason Schiavone
3B Wyatt Peifer
1B Coleman Calabrese
RF Brendan O'Donnell
SS Mason Dunaway
LF Kyle Langley
P Todd Mozoki
South Carolina baseball vs. James Madison tickets
Tickets can be purchased through a third party at StubHub.com.
South Carolina baseball schedule 2024
The past three games for South Carolina baseball. For the full schedule, click here
- 5/23 11-10 loss to LSU, SEC tournament
- 5/24 6-5 win over Kentucky, SEC tournament
- 5/25 12-11 loss to LSU (10 innings), SEC tournament
James Madison baseball schedule 2024
The past three games for James Madison baseball. For the full schedule, click here
- 5/23 10-9 win over Louisiana, Sun Belt
- 5/24 15-5 win over Old Dominion, Sun Belt
- 5/25 7-1 loss to Georgia Tech
South Carolina baseball roster
View South Carolina baseball's roster here.
James Madison baseball roster
View JMU baseball's roster here.
2024 NCAA Raleigh Regional schedule
All times are in ET
Friday’s games
Game 1:South Carolina (36-23) vs. James Madison (34-23), 2 p.m. on ESPN+
Game 2:NC State (33-20) vs. Bryant (36-19), 7 p.m. on ESPN+
2024 NCAA Raleigh Regional bracket
Friday’s games
Game 1:South Carolina (36-23) vs. James Madison (34-23), 2 p.m. on ESPN+
Game 2:NC State (33-20) vs. Bryant (36-19), 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Saturday's games
Game 3:Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, noon, TV TBD
Game 4:Game 1 winner vs. Game 2winner, 6 p.m.; TV TBD
Sunday's games
Game 5:Game 4 loser vs. Game 3 winner, noon; TV TBD
Game 6:Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.; TV TBD
Monday's game (if necessary)
Game 7:Game 6 winner vs. Game 6loser, TBD
2024 NCAA Raleigh Regional odds
- South Carolina -250
- James Madison +185
- NC State -1000
- Bryant +550
2024 College World Series bracket
View thefullbrackethere.
- Super Regionals: June 6-8 or 7-9
- College World Series starts: June 14
- College World Series finals: June 22-24
THE WINNER IS:South Carolina baseball vs James Madison prediction, odds for NCAA tournament regional
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her atlkesin@gannett.comand follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin
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