Marcus Mooney trying to enjoy last postseason ride

An incredibly young South Carolina team takes the field for it's elimination game Monday, and for some of the players, it could be their last time on a baseball field.

Such is the case for senior infielder Marcus Mooney.

As South Carolina’s season inches closer to an end—whether it be by elimination or championship—Mooney’s time in Columbia also comes to an end.

But for now, he’s adopting a short-sighted approach and handling the season one game at a time.

“I haven’t really been trying to think about it much, but there’s a chance this could be my last go-round with baseball,” he said. “Who knows what’s going to happen? So I’m just going to have fun with it and play balls-to-the-wall this weekend.”

Known for his on-camera shenanigans, wry comments in postgame press conferences, and joke telling on mound visits (usually to a pitcher about his girlfriend being in the stands), he’s bringing that patented brand of wit into the postseason with the Gamecocks.

“You can’t play uptight because that’s when things are going to go south real quick,” he said. “So have fun, keep a smile on your face whether it’s jokes on the mound visits, or whatever I do well.”

Mooney is only one of three seniors on the team and one of two, including second baseman DC Arendas, who are everyday players. Being one of the oldest guys on the team, Mooney said he’s embraced the role of leader on the team.

Mooney, who transferred to South Carolina for his sophomore season, said watching Pat Harrington carry himself on and off the field last season really helped him learn how to direct a team.

And with one more go-round through the college baseball postseason, he’s utilizing everything he’s learned to come back from the brink of elimination to advance to a super regional.

“Me and DC and a couple guys who have played in a regional,” Mooney said. “We all know what it takes to get out of a regional—it’s not going to be easy. There aren’t easy teams coming here.”

Mooney—who’s blossomed into a .311 hitter this year batting at the No. 2 and No. 9 spots—said he’s optimistic about this team’s chances, saying “no one can hang” with the Gamecocks when they play their best game.

They’ll need play their best against a potent UNCW offense to advance.

While a Gamecock win is still up in the air, what isn’t is how Mooney will embrace what could be his last time on a baseball field.

Mooney has never won a regional at South Carolina, missing out on a fundamental tradition of college baseball that’s become commonplace in Columbia.

And he made it clear that’s a tradition he doesn’t want to miss now.

“I’ve never had a chance to dog pile here. I really want to dog pile at some point this season,” he said smiling. “I’m not really looking at it as the last chance I could play baseball. Like I said, I’m going to play balls to the wall.”

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