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Mark Kingston calls 2023 South Carolina season one he won’t forget

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra•06/11/23•

SamraSource

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HOOVER, AL - MAY 24: South Carolina head coach Mark Kingston during the 2023 SEC Baseball Tournament game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the LSU Tigers on May 24, 2023 at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire)

Mark Kingston is choosing to look at South Carolina’s from a positive perspective following the Gamecocks’ season-ending loss to the Florida Gators.

Kingston’s squad was eliminated by their SEC counterpart at the Super Regionals of the NCAA Baseball Tournament on Saturday. Afterwards, Kingston waxed poetic about his 2023 team, name-dropping many of the players on his team who contributed to a memorable season.

“Yeah, and a lot of that has to do with a lot of the guys in that locker room,” the South Carolina skipper answered, asked if this was the most fun he’s had during a season thus far. “[Braylen] Wimmer has really evolved and grown up, and I’m just so proud of him. And Will McGillis has brought such a professional, classy approach to our locker room. Cole Messina, evolving into what he was. Ethan Petry, becoming a star right in front of our eyes. The Jack Mahoneys and the James Hicks and the Will Sanders. Just on and on.

“When this journey is with good people and kids you appreciate, it just makes it that much better. So yeah, this was a year that we won’t forget, and that we want to build on.”

It seems as if Mark Kingston recognizes South Carolina has a ton to build on moving forward, and NCAA glory could be in their future. Doubt the Gamecocks at your own risk.

Cole Messina sends message to South Carolina fans after NCAA Tournament exit

Cole Messina and South Carolina’s season may have came to an end on Saturday, but their journey is far from over.

The Gamecocks star catcher watched as his team fell to the Florida Gators in the Super Regional, as Messina was held hitless over four at-bats. Afterwards, he took to Twitter to share a positive message with South Carolina faithful, believing the best is yet to come.

“Proud is what you say about where your from,” tweeted Messina. “Man I’m proud to be a gamecock, we’ll see y’all next year (heart emoji).”

Throughout the 2023 season, Messina was consistently one of the best players in the entire nation. South Carolina will always have a shot, as long as their catcher is playing at the top of his game, and there’s no reason to think he won’t be moving forward.

Nevertheless, the Gamecocks’ performance in the Super Regionals certainly stings, as they’re watching their SEC rival in Florida advance. But we’re willing to bet Cole Messina and the South Carolina Gamecocks will be using that as motivation to reach even higher in 2024.