South Carolina baseball: NCAA announces potential host sites

South Carolina baseball still in running to host regionals.

The South Carolina baseball team is in a funk of late, having dropped three straight conference series to fall to .500 in league play. Less than a month ago, the Gamecocks were unanimously considered as a top 16 seed for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, but the recent struggles have put that consideration in doubt. Those top 16 seeds will host the first round of postseason play.

South Carolina has fallen off the top seed line in D1 Baseball’s most recent projections, now being considered a No. 2 seed in the East Carolina regional. That would mean a trip to Greenville, North Carolina would kick off postseason play, rather than having the luxury of staying home for round one.

While the Gamecocks do have until the end of the season to make a final push, the NCAA did announce that they’d name a group of 20 potential host sites this week, due to the need to install COVID precautions at each possible venue. Of those 20 locations, the final 16 would be chosen at season’s end. On Friday, the NCAA dropped that initial list, and it was good news for South Carolina.

Founders Park was selected as a potential host site, despite the team’s recent struggles. The Gamecocks are on the fringe of host contention. A strong finish would make it a legitimate possibility.

What’s it mean for the Gamecocks moving forward?

South Carolina has to finish with two series wins if they want to host, and even that might not be enough. The Gamecocks end the season with a series at Kentucky before hosting Tennessee next weekend. A midweek matchup with Appalachian State is squeezed in between. South Carolina may need to win six of those seven contests to get back in the top 16.

The opportunity is there, particularly in that matchup with No. 4 Tennessee, who’s fighting for a top eight finish and chance to host both a regional and super regional. Making a statement against the Vols in the season’s final week could be enough to catch the eye of the selection committee. A series loss to either the Volunteers or Wildcats will end the Gamecocks’ chances.

South Carolina will also be watching the play of teams like Ole Miss, Charlotte, Pitt, Florida State, East Carolina, and Louisiana Tech as they fight for one of the final host spots. Should a few teams fall over these final two weeks, the Gamecocks could be the beneficiary.