Baseball's Messina Named to Buster Posey Award Watch List

WICHITA, Kan. – University of South Carolina junior catcher Cole Messina has been named to the Buster Posey Award Watch List, it was announced this afternoon (Thursday, April 18) by the Wichita Sports Commission. The award honors the top Division I collegiate catcher as voted on by head coaches and sports information directors.

Messina, who is one of 63 student-athletes on the watch list, is hitting .291 with 12 doubles, 10 home runs, 33 RBI and a .604 slugging percentage. In SEC games, he is hitting .315 with six doubles, two home runs and 12 RBI. In his three-year career at Carolina, Messina has 30 doubles, 27 home runs and 99 RBI. Behind the plate, he has thrown out seven runners trying to steal.

This is the second straight year that Messina has been on the Buster Posey Award Watch List.

The 2024 winner will be announced on June 26th at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet. Three finalists will be invited to attend the banquet hosted by the Wichita Sports Commission. Nominations from head coaches and sports information directors will continue until May 8th.

Carolina starts a seven-game homestand with a three-game series against No. 2 Arkansas on Friday night (April 19) at 7 p.m. at Founders Park.