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Eli Jerzembeck flourishing in bullpen role: 'He's a weapon'

imageby:Jack Veltri•03/08/23•

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Eli Jerzembeck (Caroline Barry/GamecockCentral)

Every newcomer has a defined moment that helps shape their career. Eli Jerzembeck’s came when the lights were the brightest.

“I think that game at Clemson Friday night was a big moment for him,” Mark Kingston said. “We saw finally the elite Eli again. We hadn’t quite seen it yet early in the spring and early in games but Friday night the moment brought the best out of him.”

After Will Sanders allowed five Clemson runs through six innings, South Carolina needed someone to slow the bleeding. And so, Kingston called on his freshman right-hander Jerzembeck.

Trailing by four, Jerzembeck struck out three batters in the seventh. In the eighth, he retired the side in order to complete his outing.

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This wouldn’t be the last of his best stuff, though. With the Gamecocks leading The Citadel by a run Tuesday night, Jerzembeck was the first to come out of relief.

Tuesday’s starter, Eli Jones, who tossed five strong innings, had full confidence in his teammate.

“I come out of the game, I see Eli Jerzembeck throwing down there. I’m like, all right it’s a wrap,” Jones said.

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Jerzembeck was purely dominant, retiring all nine batters that he faced in order. He continued to locate the strike zone pitch after pitch, throwing 23 of his 30 pitches for strikes. He managed to get ahead in the count and didn’t waste time getting outs.

Jerzembeck finished his night with four strikeouts and no walks in three fabulous innings. He’d turn the ball over to Nick Proctor in the ninth, who struck out three to end the game.

“He’s been making a couple little adjustments that have got him back to being an elite pitcher,” Kingston said. “His last two outings have been absolutely lights out.”

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With his past two scoreless outings, Jerzembeck’s ERA has dropped to 1.59. He’s only allowed two runs in 11.1 innings of work this season.

But at some point, Jerzembeck’s talents will have to allot themselves to a spot in the starting rotation. Kingston said it’s “a matter of when” admitting he has the talent to be a Friday night guy in the SEC.

It’ll be hard for him to find starts in a weekend rotation comprised of veterans Will Sanders, Noah Hall and Jack Mahoney. But Kingston has liked his versatility to pitch in any spot.

“To have a guy that good out of the bullpen and not only is he a bullpen guy but he can give you length out of the bullpen much like (James) Hicks did on Sunday. It’s a weapon,” Kingston said.

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