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South Carolina

Mark Kingston 'very confident' in South Carolina pitching entering Game 2 vs. Florida

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•06/10/23
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South Carolina head baseball coach Mark Kingston on October 23, 2021. (Katie Dugan, Gamecock Central)

South Carolina is coming off a disappointing 5-4 loss to Florida in the opening game of the Gainesville Super Regional, but coach Mark Kingston remains confident in South Carolina’s pitching as the weekend continues to unfold.

The team’s starting pitcher in Game 1 on Friday night, James Hicks, turned in a quality start. He went five innings and gave up three runs on six hits.

South Carolina was very much in the contest.

Reliever Will Sanders took over in the sixth inning and gave up a costly home run to Florida catcher BT Riopelle, then allowed an RBI single in the eighth inning to plate another run for the Gators. But despite picking up the loss in relief, Sanders still has the full confidence of his head coach.

“Again, the game was in the balance and we said if the game would be in the balance Will would be used,” Kingston said. “This gives us the ability to use him twice and that’s probably what we will do. I thought Will had good stuff tonight.

“He made the mistake, that happens. But just the fact that Will is out there pitching for us right now says everything about Will.”

Looking ahead to Game 2, the South Carolina pitching staff will turn things over to junior right-hander Jack Mahoney.

Mahoney has a 7-3 record this season, while he sports a 4.05 ERA. He has struck out 80 batters while walking 25, with opponents averaging .264 at the plate against him.

Kingston believes he can give the Gamecocks a good start against the Gators. He’s also still a believer in his bullpen, despite Friday’s letdown.

“We feel very confident with the guys that will pitch for us,” Kingston said. “I’m sure Florida feels the same way. Look, this is a prize fight. It’s two elite teams. It’s gonna be about who gets that one more hit or drives in that one more run.

“It’s just two great teams going at it. So I think both teams feel confident going into tomorrow and we’ll see how it goes.”

Florida and South Carolina are scheduled for a first pitch at 3 p.m. ET, weather permitting. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.