The red and white sea of fans were loud at Doak Field in Raleigh, North Carolina. The sound of “WOLF-PACK” chants echoed.

Per ESPN, 67% of host teams advance to the NCAA super regionals, and 82% of teams who go 2-0 win the region. NC State’s win 6-4 over South Carolina baseball on Saturday put the Wolfpack (35-20) in great position to confirm those odds.

The Gamecocks (37-24) now go to the elimination bracket to face James Madison again on Sunday in the NCAA Raleigh Regional. In order to win the regional, South Carolina has to beat JMU on Sunday, then beat NC State on Sunday night, then again on Monday.

JMU VS USC: Cole Messina home run helps save South Carolina baseball vs James Madison in NCAA regional

NC State baseball sharp against South Carolina

In the sixth, South Carolina was down 4-2 with runners on first and second. Kennedy Jones’ hit had hope but shortstop Brandon Butterworth crushed that dream. Butterworth snagged it, turned and threw to tag Blake Jackson out, for the timely, well-executed double play.

Three pitchers for the Wolfpack struck out nine, allowed four runs and seven hits. NC State had eight hits, six runs and three home runs.

South Carolina baseball starts slow again in NCAA Regional

Through six innings, the Gamecocks only logged two runs, both of which were solo home runs. South Carolina failed to string together consistent offense for the second game in a row. Against JMU on Friday, the Gamecocks only scored once before tying things in the fifth.

South Carolina was 0-for-3 with runners on base by the sixth inning on Saturday. The slow start ultimately plagued the tone of the game, as the Gamecocks weren’t able to climb back into winning as they did Friday.

DETAILS ON PETRY: South Carolina star Ethan Petry out with hairline fracture vs NC State in NCAA regional

Sophomore first baseman and the Gamecocks’ second-best hitter Ethan Petry did not play on Saturday. Coach Mark Kingston said during the game he has a hairline fracture in his left hand.

Cole Messina filled in at first base but Petry’s presence at bat was clearly missed. Petry was originally in the starting lineup but after warmups, was taken out.

Messina, the hero from Friday against JMU, had just one hit against NC State.

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin

#10 Overall Seed NC State (34-20) and South Carolina (37-23) were the two victorious teams in the Raleigh Regional yesterday. The Wolfpack defeated Bryant 9-2 last night, and the Gamecocks won 8-7 against James Madison yesterday afternoon via a walk-off sacrifice fly. South Carolina entered the Bottom of the 9th trailing 7-5.

Before NC State and South Carolina hit the diamond tonight, here’s a statistical comparison of the two teams.

Here’s a look at the Gamecock’s probable starting lineup:

Senior Pitcher Garrett Gainey will start for South Carolina. On the year, Gainey has a 1-4 record with a 3.75 ERA, striking out 64 batters in 48 innings, while only walking 9. That’s a crazy K/BB ratio. Gainey primarily serves as a Relief Pitcher for the Gamecocks, starting only 2 times this season. He leads the team with 6 Saves. On May 11th, Gainey started against Georgia, and gave up 2 earned runs in 5.1 innings, striking out 7. Then on May 17th, he gave up 4 earned runs in 5.2 innings against Tennessee, striking out 5, picking up the Loss.

Junior Catcher Cole Messina was named to the All-SEC 2nd Team, earning All-SEC honors for the 2nd straight season. He almost leads the Gamecocks in every single offensive statistical category: Avg (.332), OBP (.471), SLG (.719), OPS (1.190), Runs (64), Hits (72), Doubles (19), Home Runs (21 – tied), RBI’s (71). Last night, Messina hit the game-tying 2-Run Home Run in the Bottom of the 9th.

Sophomore 1st Baseman Ethan Petry is tied for the team lead in Home Runs with Messina with 21. He is batting .306. Petry had two hits last night.

Junior Outfielder Blake Jackson is a speedster, leading the team with 16 Stolen Bases. He also is batting .303. He hit a Home Run last night against JMU.

Entering the NCAA Tournament, NC State ranked 11th according to D1Baseball’s Top-25 rankings, and South Carolina was unranked. With that being said, according to the RPI, the Wolfpack finished 15th, and the Gamecocks finished 21st.

South Carolina was knocked out by LSU in the Semifinals of the 2024 SEC Tournament last weekend in the 10th inning, falling 12-11.

South Carolina baseball continues in the winners bracket of the Raleigh Regional in the NCAA Baseball Tournament with Saturday’s game against NC State.

The Gamecocks won the opening game on Friday, 8-7, against James Madison on a 10th-inning walk-off.

NC State was dominant later Friday in a 9-2 win over Bryant to move on to the winners bracket.

Here’s everything you need to know about South Carolina’s NCAA Tournament game vs. NC State, including time, TV and streaming info and more:

What channel is South Carolina baseball vs. NC State in NCAA Tournament today?

• TV channel: None
• Streaming: ESPN+

South Carolina vs. NC State will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+, which is ESPN’s subscription-based streaming service.

South Carolina baseball vs. NC State in NCAA Tournament start time

• Game time: 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 1

South Carolina vs. NC State will begin at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday inside Doak Field in Raleigh.

NCAA Baseball tournament: Raleigh Regional schedule, bracket, TV info

At Doak Field in Raleigh; double-elimination format

Friday’s games

Game 1: South Carolina 8, James Madison 7 (10 innings)

Game 2: NC State 9, Bryant 2

Saturday’s games

Game 3: James Madison vs. Bryant, 12 p.m. on ESPN+

Game 4: South Carolina vs.NC State, 6 p.m. on ESPN+

Sunday’s games

Game 5: Game 4 loser vs. Game 3 winner, 12 p.m.; TV TBD

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.; TV TBD

Monday’s game (if necessary)

Game 7: Game 6 winner vs. Game 6 loser, TBD

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