South Carolina baseball lands commitment from UNC Greensboro transfer Kennedy Jones

South Carolina baseball secured a commitment from former UNC Greensboro star Kennedy Jones on Wednesday. Jones put up big numbers for UNCG before entering the transfer portal following the season.

In 2023, Jones had a .357 batting average along with 14 home runs and 43 RBI. He also had a .445 on base percentage and a .598 slugging percentage for UNC Greensboro. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Jones announced his commitment via Instagram Wednesday afternoon.

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South Carolina is coming off a 42-21 record in 2023, including a 16-13 record in SEC play. The Gamecocks made it to the Super Regional round of the NCAA Tournament, where they were swept by Florida in two games in Gainesville.

Mark Kingston’s coaching staff has also seen some changes early in the offseason. Pitching coach Justin Parker left for Mississippi State earlier this week, and Kingston wasted no time finding his replacement. Liberty assistant Matt Williams is now coming in to take the role, the Gamecocks announced.

Williams just completed his fourth season at Liberty, after previously spending time in the San Diego Padres organization. He also had a successful stint as the pitching coach at UNC Wilmington earlier in his career.

“I’m very excited to have Matt Williams join our staff as our pitching coach,” Kingston said in a statement. “His experience at the collegiate level, the success he has had with the pitching staff in every place he has been and his ties to the state of South Carolina and the Southeast in recruiting make him the right choice as we move into the 2024 season. Matt is regarded by professional scouts and coaches as one of the best pitching coaches in the country. We welcome Matt, his wife Denton and son Calahan to the Gamecock family.”

Williams also released a statement about the decision to take the job at South Carolina. As it turns out, he as a unique connection to the Gamecocks. His wife graduated from USC, meaning it’s a homecoming of sorts for his family.

“South Carolina is home,” Williams said. “My wife is an alum. This is the state I grew up playing in and where I started coaching. I’m excited to come back to the state alongside Coach Kingston and the staff. I look forward to helping this team get back to Omaha!”