The NCAA Charlottesville Regional Title is won by the No. 4 Gamecocks with ease.

In a display of sheer dominance, the No. 4-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks powered their way through the NCAA Charlottesville Regional, emerging as champions and punching their ticket to the Super Regionals with relative ease. From the first pitch of the tournament to the final out, Mark Kingston’s squad made a clear and resounding statement to the rest of college baseball: they’re here to win it all.

Over the course of the weekend, the Gamecocks’ offense erupted, their pitching shined, and their overall depth overwhelmed a field that included host Virginia, a dangerous VCU team, and an experienced Penn squad. South Carolina’s championship performance was a clinic in postseason poise, fueled by veteran leadership, timely hitting, and a relentless pitching staff that never gave opponents a chance to breathe.

South Carolina entered the Charlottesville Regional as the No. 1 seed in the bracket and the No. 4 national seed overall, yet they played with the hunger of an underdog. Facing VCU in the opener, the Gamecocks jumped on Rams pitching early, securing an 11-2 victory. The tone was set immediately—aggressive base running, patient at-bats, and a shutdown bullpen.

In their second matchup, South Carolina squared off against Virginia, the host and a perennial postseason threat. The Cavaliers were fresh off a narrow win over Penn, but they couldn’t keep up with the Gamecocks’ offensive assault. South Carolina routed Virginia 10-3, led by a four-hit night from All-American shortstop Michael Braswell and a commanding start by junior ace Eli Jones.

By the time the championship round arrived, Virginia had clawed its way back into contention, defeating Penn and avenging their earlier loss to VCU. But South Carolina, well-rested and razor-sharp, slammed the door in a rematch for the title. The Gamecocks rolled to an 8-1 victory behind dominant pitching and a barrage of extra-base hits.

Much of South Carolina’s success in the Charlottesville Regional can be attributed to its elite pitching staff. Over three games, Gamecock hurlers surrendered just six runs—averaging only two runs allowed per contest—and posted an ERA under 2.00 across the weekend.

Eli Jones, the dependable Friday night starter, set the standard early. Against Virginia, he tossed seven innings of one-run baseball, striking out nine and walking just one. His slider was unhittable, and he mixed speeds with veteran precision.

Sophomore right-hander Ty Good, starting in Game 1 against VCU, went six solid innings, scattering five hits and allowing just two runs. He worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the third inning, turning what could have been a game-changing moment into a momentum swing in South Carolina’s favor.

But the unsung hero of the weekend may have been reliever Cade Austin. The senior flamethrower appeared in all three games, tossing 5.2 total innings without allowing a run. His high-90s fastball and sharp curveball proved lethal in high-leverage situations, and his presence gave Kingston complete flexibility with his bullpen.

Offensively, South Carolina’s lineup proved too deep and too powerful for any team in the region to contain. Over three games, the Gamecocks scored 29 runs and tallied 35 hits—14 of which went for extra bases.

Michael Braswell was the clear offensive MVP. The junior shortstop batted .583 for the regional with 7 hits in 12 at-bats, including two doubles, a triple, and six RBIs. His ability to spark rallies from the two-hole in the lineup proved critical.

Veteran outfielder Ethan Petry added a pair of home runs, bringing his season total to 21. Petry’s solo blast in the regional final put the Gamecocks on the board early and forced Virginia to play from behind—a position few teams can afford against South Carolina’s pitching staff.

Sophomore catcher Cole Messina also contributed in a big way, not just with his bat, but with his leadership behind the plate. He threw out two would-be base stealers and managed the pitching staff like a seasoned pro. At the plate, he went 5-for-11 with a homer and a pair of doubles.

South Carolina head coach Mark Kingston was visibly pleased with his team’s performance, especially the way they balanced aggressive play with disciplined fundamentals.

“We wanted to come in here and impose our will early,” Kingston said after the championship game. “Every guy in this dugout believes in what we’re doing. We’re built for this stage.”

Kingston also praised the focus and maturity of his players, many of whom had NCAA Tournament experience from last year’s Super Regional run.

“Our leaders have stepped up,” he added. “Braswell, Petry, Messina—they’ve shown what it takes to win in June. And the younger guys are following their lead.”

This regional championship caps off a season that began with questions about South Carolina’s ability to repeat last year’s deep run. Injuries to key arms and a sluggish April had some wondering if the Gamecocks could make another postseason push.

But as the SEC Tournament approached, Kingston’s squad rounded into form. Their depth proved crucial, and the emergence of underclassmen like second baseman Austin Stokes and outfielder Dylan Brewer added new dimensions to the lineup.

By the time the NCAA Tournament began, South Carolina was peaking—just as Kingston had planned.

“This group never panicked,” Kingston said. “They stayed the course and trusted the work. That’s what championship teams do.”

With the Charlottesville Regional trophy in hand, the Gamecocks now advance to the Super Regionals, where they’ll face the winner of the Fayetteville Regional—likely No. 13 Arkansas, another SEC powerhouse.

It’s a familiar foe for South Carolina, who played Arkansas in a high-intensity series earlier this season. That weekend ended in a 2-1 series win for Arkansas in Fayetteville, though the final game went to extra innings.

“We know what they bring to the table,” said Messina. “They’re a great team, but so are we. This is what you live for—the chance to beat the best and keep moving.”

If South Carolina continues to pitch like they did in Charlottesville and swing the bats with such confidence, they’ll have more than a fighting chance.

The fan support in Charlottesville was impossible to ignore. A sea of garnet and black flooded the stands all weekend, outnumbering even Virginia’s home fans by the final game. When the final out was recorded, chants of “Let’s go Gamecocks!” echoed through Disharoon Park.

“This fanbase travels like nobody else,” Kingston said. “They gave us a home-field advantage on the road, and our guys fed off that energy.”

For Gamecock fans, this regional title is more than just a stepping stone—it’s a sign that the program is back among college baseball’s elite. After years of rebuilding, the foundation Kingston has built is paying off.

Winning a regional isn’t just about talent—it’s about timing, execution, and belief. The Gamecocks have all three.

They’re healthy, confident, and clicking on all cylinders. Whether it’s timely hitting, lights-out pitching, or savvy coaching, South Carolina showcased the full arsenal this weekend.

And with Omaha just two wins away, there’s a sense around the program that this could be the year the Gamecocks make another run at the national title.