General
Reliable bullpen arm who can come into the game and get outs • Veteran leader for a talented bullpen.
Junior (2011)
Appeared in 12 games on the season, registering 10 innings pitched • Posted a 2.70 ERA without a decision • Punched out 11 batters on the year • Opened the season by not allowing a run in his first six appearances • Threw a shutout inning against Missouri (2/20) in his season debut • Struck out a pair over a scoreless frame against Seton Hall (3/26) • Registered three strike outs against Elon (3/8) • In his last five innings of the season allowed just one earned run.
Sophomore (2010)
Appeared in 18 games with five starts • Threw 32 innings on the year striking out 22 and walking 21 • Posted a 2-1 record with one save • In ACC play turned in a 2.61 ERA in seven games with two starts • Tossed 10 1/3 innings of relief in conference action • Claimed a 2-inning save in the season-opening series against George Washington (2/21) • Claimed the win in his first start of the season going 5.2 innings allowing two runs against St. John's (3/10) • Threw a scoreless inning against No. 4 Florida State (3/21) • Earned the Sunday start against No. 3 Georgia Tech (3/28) throwing 4.1 innings of scoreless baseball • Recorded a scoreless streak of 11 2/3 innings from April 21-June 6 • Earned the start in the NCAA Tournament game versus No. 11 Oklahoma going 4 innings and allowing just one run. Summer 2010: Made 10 appearances with two starts for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod League.
Freshman (2009)
Made 10 appearances, including five midweek starts, as a rookie • Went 2-0 with a 6.08 ERA in 23.2 innings • Struck out 19 batters • Earned wins against Richmond (4/8) and UNC Wilmington (4/21) • Fanned a career-best seven batters and allowed just three earned runs over 5.1 innings against the Spiders • Worked a season-long 5.2 innings and struck out five versus the Seahawks • Tossed 4.2 innings and did not allow a run against Longwood (5/7) • Also made starts against Appalachian State March 10 and High Point (4/14) • Made first appearance in over a month against Arizona State in the College World Series (6/18) and tossed a scoreless inning. Summer 2009: Made 10 relief appearances for the Hyannis Mets of the Cape Cod League • Went 1-1 and struck out 12 in 16.1 innings.
South Caldwell High School
Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 44th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft but elected to come to North Carolina • Standout pitcher and infielder for coach Jeff Parhom at South Caldwell High School • Helped lead South Caldwell to a state title in 2007 • Earned all-state honors as a junior and was all-conference and all-region as a junior and senior • Named conference pitcher of the year as a senior • Named team MVP as a sophomore • Also played running back on the football team for three seasons • Three-time academic success award winner • Played for the Midland Redskins and went 8-0 as a pitcher.
Personal
James Allen Messer II is the son of Jim and Cherie Messer • Born Oct. 22, 1989, in Hickory, N.C. • Majoring in exercise and sports science at Carolina • Father played college football for the University of West Alabama.
Career Highs
Innings: 5.2, UNC Wilmington (4/21/09); St. John's (3/10/10)
Walks: 3, 4 times
Strikeouts: 7, Richmond (4/8/09)
Runs: 6 vs. Richmond (4/8/09)
Earned Runs: 5 vs. UNC Wilmington (4/21/09
