Columbia Regional Preview
Baseball America will break down all 16 regionals, including Columbia, hosted by South Carolina.
| STAT PACK (National rank in parentheses) |
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| Avg. | Scoring (R/G) | HR | SB | ERA | K/9 | WHIP | Fielding %age | |
| 1. South Carolina | .288 (79) | 6.1 (82) | 38 (91) | 63 (96) | 3.32 (27) | 9.6 (3) | 1.22 (23) | .978 (16) |
| 2. UNC Wilmington | .322 (8) | 8.5 (2) | 82 (4) | 51 (76) | 4.36 (120) | 7.3 (121) | 1.41 (92) | .946 (208) |
| 3. Duke | .264 (195) | 4.8 (217) | 26 (180) | 62 (100) | 3.63 (46) | 7.5 (106) | 1.32 (52) | .976 (30) |
| 4. Rhode Island | .263 (202) | 5.1 (184) | 30 (145) | 61 (106) | 4.23 (103) | 8.0 (58) | 1.35 (66) | .965 (191) |
1. South Carolina (42-15, 20-9 in Southeastern Conference)
32nd appearance (last in 2014), at-large, first in SEC East
Top 300 Prospects: RHP Braden Webb (74), RHP Will Crowe (166), Dom Thompson-Williams (237), RHP Taylor Widener (259)
Season In A Sentence: The disappointment of missing regionals in 2015 was a springboard for a great 2016 as the Gamecocks were the surprise winner of the SEC East over Florida and Vanderbilt.
Player To Watch: Dom Thompson-Williams, of. Thompson-Williams’ bat speed might only be surpassed by his foot speed. The Iowa Western CC transfer had 25 extra-base hits and stole 17 of 21 bases and is a solid defender to boot.
Best Weekend: vs. Florida, April 29-30. Sweeping Mississippi on the second weekend of SEC play was loud, but holding their own against the top-ranked Gators that weekend was a good barometer for the Gamecocks. They lost the opener 5-4, but bounced back behind Webb to beat possible first overall pick A.J. Puk on Saturday to split the rain-shortened series.
Outlook: The Gamecocks’ rotation of Clarke Schmidt, Webb and Adam Hill is tough to match and a bullpen of Josh Reagan, Tyler Johnson and Reed Scott shortens games. Obviously, a loss to Tyler Wilson and Rhode Island in the opener could change the regional dramatically, but South Carolina sets up well for a potential super-regional showdown with Clemson.
2. UNC Wilmington (39-17, 16-6 in Colonial Athletic Association)
Fifth appearance (second straight), at-large, first in CAA
Top 300 Prospects: None
Season In A Sentence: A strong regular season ended in disappointment as the Seahawks were stunned in the final two games of the CAA Tournament by William & Mary, but still made the NCAA field thanks to a top-30 RPI.
Player To Watch: Ryan Foster, rhp. The senior was named CAA pitcher of the year after tying for the most wins in the nation with 12 and compiling a 2.41 ERA. On a pitching staff with a collective 4.36 ERA, Foster is the standout.
Best Weekend: vs. College of Charleston, May 6-8. The ‘Hawks were in the midst of a stretch of what ultimately was 18 wins in 19 games when they played perennial CAA power CofC. Foster won the opener and then UNCW pounded ace Bailey Ober on Saturday to take the series.
Outlook: As much as their pitching is lacking, the Seahawks have the bats to make this regional interesting. Led by sophomore catcher Nick Feight, they ranked second in the country in scoring at 8.5 runs a game and they hit the fourth-most homers. They have history with Duke, their opening opponent, and could put a real scare into the Gamecocks.
3. Duke (33-22, 14-15 in Atlantic Coast Conference)
Sixth appearance (last in 1961), at-large, third in ACC Coastal
Top 300 Prospects: RHP Bailey Clark (130)
Season In A Sentence: After starting the season 10-13, the Blue Devils turned it around and finished 23-9 to clinch their first regional appearance since 1961.
Player To Watch: Brian McAfee, rhp. McAfee—a graduate transfer from Cornell—has been critical to the rotation all season, particularly after Clark faltered. McAfee went 7-4, 3.40 with just 11 walks in 90 innings. He’ll start Friday, and has regionals experience after appearing with Cornell in the 2012 tournament.
Best Weekend: vs. Florida State, May 13-15. The Blue Devils had big series wins against then-ranked Georgia Tech and Clemson, but the win against Florida State just before the end of the regular season probably held the most sway with the NCAA tournament committee. Jack Labosky, who led the team in homers, homered in the second inning of that Friday game to give the Blue Devils a lead they wouldn’t relinquish and they went on to take two of three.
Outlook: The Blue Devils are rolling but their Friday matchup is a tough one. If McAfee can keep the Seahawks in the park, Duke might have a chance to steal one. Lefthander Trent Swart gets the Game Two start.
4. Rhode Island (30-25, 18-6 in Atlantic 10 Conference)
Second appearance (Last in 2005), automatic, first in Atlantic 10, won the A-10 Tournament
Top 300 Prospects: None
Season In A Sentence: The Rams were middling out of conference but won seven of eight series in the A-10 and won their conference tournament for an auto bid.
Player To Watch: Tyler Wilson, lhp, Rhode Island. The sophomore and A-10 pitcher of the year was 12-1, 2.08 and struck out 111 and allowed just 47 hits in 95 innings. Opponents hit just .141 against him.
Best Weekend: vs. LaSalle, May 19-20. A season that started with eight losses in 10 games saw the Rams finally reach .500 with a win in the opener against LaSalle. Rhode Island went on to win the next five games on its way to the A-10 tournament title.
Outlook: The Rams are playing well and with Wilson on the mound against a lefty-leaning Gamecocks lineup, they could upset the regional applecart with a Friday win.
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