South Carolina star Cole Messina produced another terrific all-around performance to help lead a win against Arkansas in the SEC Tournament.
In a tight battle vs. the Hogs, Messina provided the run support with several of his at bats, first knocking in an RBI single to give the Gamecocks a 2-1 lead in the top of the third. Then, Messina returned the lead to South Carolina again in the fifth inning with a two-run home run.
But darn it if Arkansas didn’t get two more back in the seventh to tie the game up again. However, Messina stepped into the box one more time in the ninth inning and provided another two-run homer, driving in Blake Jackson for the second time.
Arkansas still would not go gentle into that good night and made another push in the bottom of the ninth to add a quick run and make it a 6-5 game. The Razorbacks then managed to get a runner on third with two outs to put pressure on the Gamecocks defense to finish it off. Luckily, they did, catching a fly ball for the final out to hang on for victory.
After the game, South Carolina head coach Mark Kingston was asked about his star player’s herculean performance, and noted that the Gamecocks have a much easier time winning games when Messina plays like he did.
“Well, we score a lot more runs when he’s hitting, that’s clear. I’m pretty sure if you dug into the stats, and on the days he has good games, I bet we probably win 90% of the time,” Kingston said. “And when he doesn’t, it’s obviously not that high. But he’s the heart and soul of our team, and when the heart and soul of your team is playing that well, it just allows everybody else to kind of follow suit.”
Cole Messina himself spoke on the rejuvenating weekend for the Gamecocks so far at the conference tourney, since they had lost six straight before these last two victories.
“It’s been awesome,” he said. “I mean, it’s been fun to watch this team compete the way we have. And you know, had a rough six games before this tournament, and just kind of turn it all around in two games, and feel like we’re back to who we are and can make a run.”
Messina is certainly the sort of team captain and lead player than any coach would love to have. When he’s swinging the bat like he did on Wednesday, the sky is the limit for this South Carolina group.
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