South Carolina baseball: latest postseason projections revealed
By Jacob Elsey
South Carolina baseball inching closer to top 16 seed.
The South Carolina baseball team earned a much needed sweep last weekend versus Kentucky, taking down the Wildcats convincingly on the road. The sweep snapped a three-series losing skid, and saw the Gamecocks jump to No. 11 in the latest RPI standings.
It also helped the team jockey for postseason play, as Mark Kingston’s bunch looks for an opportunity to host a regional round in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The Gamecocks entered the week as a projected No. 2 seed in the East Carolina regional. Where does the team stand now?
D1 Baseball has unveiled its latest predictions for postseason play, taking into account the results from this past weekend. The field of 64 still sees the Gamecocks as being a No. 2 seed in the East Carolina regional. They’d be joined by Virginia and Campbell, too.
While the seed line didn’t move, South Carolina’s stock is beginning to rise. Here’s what the D1 Baseball staff had to say about the Gamecocks.
"Also keep an eye on South Carolina… the Gamecocks helped their case a great deal by sweeping Kentucky on the road and getting up to 11 in the RPI. The Gamecocks could receive a huge shot in the arm this weekend by winning a home series against Tennessee."
That home series with Tennessee will be huge, as a win over a top five program could boost the Gamecocks into the top group. South Carolina has already been considered one of the 20 possible regional host sites, they just need to find a way into the top 16 overall seeds. It may take a 3-1 week, at the least, to get the Gamecocks into that final consideration.
Going a bit further on how big this series is, the university announced earlier today that it would allow 100% capacity at Founders Park for the first time this season. Hopefully that home field advantage will work in the Gamecocks’ favor, and South Carolina can end the regular season with a huge series win.