Jack Mahoney gets emotional breaking down NCAA Tournament exit vs. Florida

South Carolina turned to right-handed pitcher Jack Mahoney on Saturday for Game 2 of the Gainesville Super Regional against Florida in hopes of extending its season. But it wasn’t in the cards for Mahoney and the Gamecocks.

The junior lasted only 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and four walks that lead to three runs scored. Gators starter Hurston Waldrep tossed a gem on the other side. Waldrep threw an eight-inning shutout with just three hits and two walks allowed while striking out 13 hitters.

Florida won the game, 4-0, to advance to the College World Series. At the post-game press conference, Mahoney had nothing but praise and respect for the Gators.

“You want to see an Omaha lineup,” Mahoney said. “That’s what it looks like. You can’t throw your B stuff out there to beat this team. You have to have your A-plus stuff and I really can’t say enough about this Florida lineup. I saw them twice. Gave me hell twice. Obviously came out on the right end of it the first time around and wrong side of it today. Part of that was Hurston Waldrep. Again if you want to see what first round baseball looks like, that’s a first round guy.”

Colby Halter knocked in the first two runs of the game on a two-run double in the second inning. Mahoney then walked two batters in the fifth inning, which led to an RBI single from Josh Rivera. That ended up being the final batter Mahoney will have faced this college season.

Florida game marks end of resurgent Jack Mahoney season

Jack Mahoney had a great freshman season in 2021, pitching in 16 games with five starts with a 1.62 ERA in 33.2 innings. But he injured his arm during the season and had Tommy John surgery to repair it.

As a result, he did not pitch in 2022 before returning to the mound this year.

He had a great bounce back season for the Gamecocks. He started 17 games with a 7-4 record, 4.16 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 84.1 innings.

“This season, it’s meant everything to me,” Mahoney said. “Guys like (Ethan Petry) coming in as a freshman like, the hell was that? People don’t do that. Petry’s 19 years old and should be in the big leagues right now or something. I don’t think I’ll really ever know what this team meant to me. Everyday it was just playing baseball with my best friends and I think everyone saw that with the way that we played.”