South Carolina finally getting closer to pieces back in original spots

It’s been a tough go at it offensively for South Carolina, but the pieces of the puzzle might be getting back to their rightful spots this weekend. 

With the Gamecocks getting incrementally healthier heading to Arkansas, South Carolina could look a lot more natural defensively with players back in their best positions in the field. 

That means, most importantly, potentially getting who Mark Kingston called the best catcher in the country Cole Messina back behind the plate.

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“If LeCroy’s available, Tippett’s available, Braswell’s available, Wimmer may or may not be available fairly soon. We’ll have a lot of options there if we decide to do that,” Kingston said. “If we have the ability to move the pieces back to where they were when we were an elite team, then we’ll probably do that.” 

Injuries forced Messina, who played first when not catching, to third base the last two weekends in SEC play. It’s been with up and down results with the Gamecocks’ losing their nearly everyday catcher and someone who has managed what had been one of the best pitching staffs in the country. 

Messina’s started every game this season with all but 11 starts coming at catcher before this two-week stretch. Of those 11 games, 10 of those starts came at first base with one at the DH spot. 

The Gamecocks have struggled on the mound the last two weeks for a few reasons, but maybe getting Messina back in the battery could help going into a hostile environment like Arkansas. 

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“Cole, for me, is the best catcher in the country. Now French is very capable and has done very good things for us. (But) saying Cole is the best catcher in the country, there are effects that are felt. Maybe they’re tangible, maybe they’re not. But Cole’s a leader,” Kingston said.

“He’s a great catcher, offensively and defensively. He’s the total package. French has done a really nice job for us all year but cole is cole. It’s hard to say what impact there is. There’s no real way to know. But we feel confident in both of them. But I also feel Cole is the best catcher in the country.” 

Messina’s doing just about everything for South Carolina right now, playing at arguably his third-best position right now while being second-best on the team in both batting average and slugging.

He’s hitting .258/.380/.551 in SEC play but that’s ticked up his last 10 games overall. Over his last 40 at-bats, the sophomore is hitting .275/.370/.600 with 12 RBI and three homers. He’s walked almost as much (6) as he’s struck out (8). 

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“Cole’s given us everything he’s had at third base, but he’s not a natural third baseman,” Kingston said. “He’s a natural catcher. He’s an elite catcher who’s a team guy who was willing to play a position out of his comfort zone for us.”

If Messina does ultimately shift back to catcher, it does give the Gamecocks options against the Razorbacks. 

Talmage LeCroy, coming back from a hamstring injury, could play second or third base. The same goes for Will Tippett (wrist), who can play the infield despite being banged up.

Michael Braswell seems likely to stick at short for the time being with Braylen Wimmer still coming back from a hamstring injury as well. 

Braswell–who’s spent time at short, second and third this year–is giving the Gamecocks exactly what they need from the sophomore second baseman. Over his last 10 games (39 at-bats), he’s hitting .308/.438/.333 with eight walks, nine strikeouts and a .400 BABIP. 

“My goal, at the end of the day, is just do what we can to win. Whether that be playing third, short or second. I fully believe in my ability to move around the infield in different ways. I think I’ll do whatever it takes to win,” Braswell said.

“If it’s me batting nine-hole or leadoff, at the end of the day the goal is to drive in runs, produce runs, get on base and keep the line moving wherever I’m hitting. The goal is to keep playing and whatever position it is, I’ll play it. It doesn’t really matter to me.” 

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Series details

Who: No. 6 South Carolina (36-12, 14-9 SEC) at No. 3 Arkansas (36-12, 17-7 SEC)

When: Friday May, 12 to Sunday, May 14

Where: Baum-Walker Stadium (Capacity: 10,737)

Game times (ET): Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m.

How to watch: SEC Network Plus

How to listen: 107.5 FM and the Gamecock Radio Network

Probable pitching

Friday: RHP Eli Jones (4-2, 3.38 ERA) vs. LHP Hagen Smith (7-1, 2.56 ERA)

Saturday: TBA vs. TBA

Sunday: LHP Matthew Becker (4-1, 4.46 ERA) vs. TBA

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