Baseball's Messina Earns Fourth All-America Honor

DURHAM, N.C. – University of South Carolina junior catcher Cole Messina was named a Second Team All-American by Baseball America, the publication announced this morning (Friday, June 21). Messina now has been named an All-American by four different organizations (ABCA, Perfect Game, NCBWA and Baseball America).

Messina led Carolina with a .326 batting average to go along with 64 runs scored, 19 doubles, 21 home runs, 71 runs-batted-in, 50 walks and eight stolen bases. Messina threw out 13 runners trying to steal, including three in the Raleigh Regional opener against James Madison (May 31).

He was named to both the All-SEC Tournament team and the All-Raleigh Regional team. Messina set the SEC Tournament record with 16 RBI in the five games played and had two home runs, including the game-winner, in a victory over Arkansas (May 22). He was named to the All-SEC second team after hitting .330 with 12 doubles, six home runs and 28 RBI in conference contests.