Jack Mahoney discusses strong start vs. NC State in NCAA Tournament

After a dominant start to the NCAA Tournament where South Carolina defeated Central Connecticut State 19-1, the Gamecocks followed it with an impressive 6-3 win over NC State on Sunday in their second game of the Columbia Regional. Junior right-handed pitcher Jack Mahoney started on the mound for the Gamecocks, helping lead the team to their Regional Championship game on Sunday night. And after his win over NC State, Mahoney spoke about his confidence on the mound as of late.

“It’s like the feeling that you kind of work for when no one’s watching really,” Mahoney explained. “Honestly, going out there with pretty much a full-strength South Carolina team, we feel really confident and I think you can see it in how much fun we’re having right now.”

Mahoney’s win Saturday over the Wolfpack extended his record to 7-3 on the season, securing wins in three of his last four outings. He pitched for six innings, striking out six batters and allowing seven hits and three runs on the night before Eli Jones and Chris Veach pitched shutout innings to close out the ballgame.

Mahoney now has 80 strikeouts in 80 innings pitched this season for the Gamecocks, and seems to have cracked the code for staying consistent throughout the remainder of the postseason.

“The last couple starts I feel like I’ve just probably put the emotion aside, a lot of it, and just understanding executing every single pitch and just breathing a lot out there. Like you said, it’s a good feeling, that’s all I can say about it,” Mahoney said.

Mahoney and South Carolina pitching staff impressed Saturday, allowing zero walks on the day versus NC State. But they did also get help from their offense, which got things going in the third inning thanks to a two-run home run from senior shortstop Braylen Wimmer, his 13th home run of the season.

The Gamecocks kept things going in the fifth inning, where a four-run explosion helped extend their lead to 6-0 heading into the sixth sinning. A two-run single to right from junior first baseman Gavin Casas highlighted the inning, as he’s been on an absolute tear during the regional round so far hitting 5-for-8 with five RBIs.

With Campbell defeating NC State on Sunday, the Camels now face South Carolina on Sunday in the Columbia Regional Championship game at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.