RALEIGH, N.C. (South Carolina Athletics) –

FOR STARTERS

• South Carolina will face James Madison in game five of the 2024 Raleigh Regional Sunday afternoon (June 2) at Doak Field.
• First pitch is set for 12 p.m.
• The game will be televised on ESPNU with Dani Wexelman and Roddy Jones on the call.
• Friday’s game also will be on the Gamecock Sports Network presented by Learfield with Derek Scott and Stuart Lake on the call.

NC STATE RECAP

• Dylan Brewer homered twice in the 6-4 loss to NC State on Saturday night.
• Garrett Gainey struck out four in a six-inning start, which was his longest outing of the season.
• Cole Messina extended his on-base streak to 20 games vs. the Wolfpack.
• Will Tippett homered for the second straight game in the Raleigh Regional.

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUP

South Carolina Dylan Eskew (R-Jr., RHP) 3-4, 4.87 ERA, 57.1 IP, 24 BB, 38 SO

James Madison Casey Smith (Jr. RHP) 1-3, 5.59 ERA, 38.2 IP, 16 BB, 24 SO

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A map shows how parts of South Carolina could be submerged by water as sea levels rise because of climate change.

The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects that by the year 2100, global sea levels could rise by up to 3.6 feet if greenhouse gas emissions are not mitigated. It added that a rise of about 6.6 feet “cannot be ruled out.”

The map by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) allows users to see how different parts of the United States would be affected if sea levels rose by various amounts.

South Carolina has numerous rivers and estuaries, particularly along its coastline. If sea levels were to rise by 3 feet, water would begin encroaching the land in these areas. The areas along the South Edisto River would be particularly affected, with large parts submerged completely.

If sea levels were to rise by 6 feet, many more areas along the coast would be inundated by water, including parts of the well-known barrier islands Hilton Head and Kiawah, which would be almost entirely submerged.

Charleston, the state’s most populous port city, is threaded by dozens of rivers and creeks, and would also be badly affected by rising sea levels. Large parts of the city would be submerged if sea levels rose by 6 feet, particularly its downtown areas, which could affect many of the city’s roughly 150,000 residents.

These coastal areas are particularly vulnerable due to their low elevation and susceptibility to storm surges, which is the rise in seawater level caused by a storm.

States along the coasts of the Southern U.S. are at particular risk of sea level rise, according to data from the NOAA.

Sea levels rose around Charleston by 7.1 inches between 2010 and 2023. That was four times the rate of the previous 30 years, showing that the rate is accelerating.

The rises are primarily caused by the melting of ice caps into the ocean due to warming temperatures. The level at which sea levels will rise will be impacted by whether global action is taken to slow climate change.

Charleston is also experiencing sinking land, known as land subsidence, which happens partly due to natural geological processes and also from human activities such as the extraction of groundwater from deep in the earth.

The city has adopted a Sea Level Rise Strategy, which involves planning for future water inundation by modifying infrastructure, raising streets and sea walls, along with other initiatives such as acquiring repetitive loss properties and using these lowlands to absorb future waterways.

NOAA oceanographer William Sweet previously told Newsweek in an emailed response: “NOAA’s Sea Level Rise Viewer is a versatile mapping platform that provides insights on what lies in harm’s way—either from on-going sea level rise or flooding from full-moon tides to hurricane storm surges.

“Due to decades of sea level rise, high tides are drowning wetlands and routinely flooding U.S. coastal communities, disrupting commutes and commerce and requiring extensive upgrades to public works like storm- and waste-water systems.”

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