Jack Mahoney set to start in win or go home game for South Carolina
It all comes down to this. South Carolina is now in must-win mode after losing the first game of Super Regional play to Florida.
One loss and the dream ends. A win and the Gamecocks live to see another game.
According to the NCAA, the team that wins the first game of its Super Regional has advanced to the College World Series 79 percent of the time. So coming back to win the series won’t be easy but it can be done.
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For the Gamecocks, it’ll all start with pitching. Mark Kingston has been coy with announcing his starting pitchers but made it clear Jack Mahoney would get the ball in game two.
There might not be a better arm to have on the mound in a do-or-die game. Mahoney has been great this year, pitching to a 4.05 ERA with 80 strikeouts to 25 walks in 80 innings.
“Look, Jack’s a very good pitcher,” Kingston said. “He’s very competitive. He’s a guy that this team loves playing behind. So what more can you ask for?”
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Mahoney has had a few tough outings, but when the lights have shined brightest he’s been able to come through.
He pitched seven scoreless innings against a dangerous Arkansas lineup in mid-May.
Mahoney followed it up with another gutsy performance against Tennessee, throwing six innings of one-run ball. He struck out nine and walked one.
After an okay outing in the SEC Tournament against Texas A&M, Mahoney dialed it back up in time for the NCAA Tournament. Outside of one bad inning, he shoved against NC State, giving up three runs in six innings of work. He struck out six and didn’t walk a batter.
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Now, he will be counted on to deliver another big outing in what could be the final time he pitches for South Carolina.
After only using Will Sanders and Nick Proctor out of relief on Friday, the Gamecocks will have a handful of arms at their disposal in the bullpen. Chris Veach, Eli Jones, Matthew Becker and Cade Austin will all available.
“We feel very confident about the guys that will pitch for us. I’m sure Florida feels the same way,” Kingston said.
If there’s a game three on Sunday, Jones or Becker will have to start. Both have had their struggles this year, but if Mahoney can provide length and get the win that goes a long way.
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There’s also the off chance Sanders can come back and pitch again either as a starter or reliever. Kingston said he can be used again after throwing 46 pitches in game one.
However, the Gamecocks plan to use their pitching, it won’t matter if they can’t win. But Kingston feels confident in his staff to keep the Gators in check.
“Look, this is a prize fight. It’s two elite teams and it’s going to be about who gets that one more run. It’s just two great teams going at it,” Kingston said.
“So I think both teams feel confident going into tomorrow and we’ll see how it goes.”
Game details
Who: No. 15 South Carolina (42-20) vs. No. 2 Florida (49-15)
When: Saturday, June 10 at 3 p.m.
Where: Condron Family Ballpark (Capacity: 7,000, expandable to 10,000)
How to watch/listen: ESPN2/107.5 FM and the Gamecocks Radio Network
Probable starting pitching
South Carolina: RHP Jack Mahoney (7-3, 4.05 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 80 K, 25 BB, 8 HR)
Florida: RHP Hurston Waldrep (8-3, 4.54 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 129 K, 46 BB, 12 HR)
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