South Carolina Baseball: NIL deals and good vibes heading into super regional
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina baseball was selected as a top-16 regional host heading into the 2023 NCAA Tournament, but there were many critics of the move who believed the Gamecocks were undeserving of the honor.
Frankly, good arguments existed either way for the Gamecocks as Carolina had a host-worthy resume but played extremely poorly down the stretch of the season. South Carolina baseball dropped 11 of their final regular season games and only picked up one victory in the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Alabama.
Fast forward to regional week, and things started to seem a little bit different around the team than the downtrodden vibes that clouded the YardCocks over the previous month.
According to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos, nine South Carolina baseball players (Ethan Petry, Gavin Casas, Cole Messina, Braylen Wimmer, Michael Braswell, Jonathan French, Dylan Brewer, Will Tippett, and Carson Hornung) signed a group NIL deal with HeyDude shoes. The deal was facilitated by Park Avenue Sports.
The nice payday wasn’t the only thing different about the Gamecocks this weekend, though, as the Columbia regional was absolutely dominated by the host team. The struggling offense that had not scored in double-digits since April 20th racked up 41 runs in the three-game regional sweep.
South Carolina knocked off all three of the other teams in the regional as they beat the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils 19-1, the NC State Wolfpack 6-3, and the Campbell Camels 16-7.
The pitching was improved, as well. Outside of a few shaky innings against one of the best offenses in college baseball on Saturday (Campbell), the Gamecocks threw the ball very well during the regional weekend.
So, what changed to facilitate such improvement?
The Gamecocks got healthier. Will McGillis had been out, except for a short-term failed comeback, since March with a broken arm. He was back and hit the ball very well at the top of the lineup this weekend. Braylen Wimmer was back at shortstop after missing time with a hamstring injury and then being relegated to DH-only duties. Talmadge LeCroy was all the way back from his own hamstring issue. Cole Messina returned from being in concussion protocol. Will Sanders came back from his lower body issue and pitched very well in relief.
The returns to the lineup were significant for a team that has had lots of players playing out of position in recent weeks. However, the energy around the team was different, as well. It is hard to keep up a positive attitude when things aren’t going well on the field, but the week off between the SEC Tournament and the Columbia regional provided South Carolina baseball with a “reset.”
That reset was huge as the team was loud and involved in every inning of all three regional contests. They even changed up their celebrations as the…interesting…double dance was traded in for a celebration that was less thrusting than the old one. Players seemed genuinely excited to contribute even in the small ways. Talmadge LeCroy had a massive bat flip after a walk, and Will Tippett was mobbed by teammates after a sacrifice bunt.
The approach at the plate has improved. Some of this was naturally going to occur as the Gamecocks got healthier, but Carolina made a concentrated effort to work the count in the regional. The Gamecocks racked up 30 walks and took advantage of all those extra base runners. Conversely, the pitching staff only surrendered three walks despite facing two good offenses.
South Carolina baseball played outrageously well in the Columbia regional and will look to carry that momentum over to the super regional. Right now, the Gamecocks are waiting to see who (and where) they will play that super regional. Florida and Texas Tech play on Monday for the right to take on the Gamecocks.
If the Gators win, South Carolina baseball will travel to Gainesville for the supers, but if the Red Raiders win, the Gamecocks will host another round of the NCAA Tournament at Founders Park in Columbia.