Eli Jones gets first collegiate victory, continues to improve after Tommy John surgery

Eli Jones walked off the field Wednesday night through a tunnel of high fives with the South Carolina fans at Founders Park on their feet, applauding.

Ten months ago, freshly removed from Tommy John surgery, he didn’t think he’d be in this position. Then Wednesday, Jones picked up his first career win as he continues to give the Gamecocks exactly what they need in the midweek.

“It’s a good feeling,” Jones said after the game. “Not feeling my best, still getting outs and getting, putting zeroes up on the board. It’s good to help the team out like that.”

Jones is on a strict ramp-up program which requires at minimum five days off between outings and a pitch count that increases by five each week. Wednesday, after roughly two weeks off, Jones logged a season-high 53 pitches over 3.2 scoreless innings.

In his limited time, he was still efficient, throwing 68 percent of his pitches for strikes and striking out three batters while giving up only three hits. 

“I didn’t feel great, body didn’t feel 100 percent but it was good to know that even though I didn’t have my best stuff and didn’t feel the greatest I can still execute my pitches and get outs,” Jones said.

This was Jones’ first appearance since April 20 when he got the start in Rock Hill in a South Carolina win over Winthrop. 

“He battles and that’s the thing, he’s got composure for a freshman to throw strikes, and his stuff’s just good enough,” Kingston said. “It’s not elite yet. I think it will be at some point. But again, you see a composed kid that throws strikes and gives his defense the best chance to play.”

After getting off to a rocky start in his first appearance against Presbyterian last month in which he gave up three earned runs in one inning, Jones has seen gradual improvement. 

Jones’ second outing of the season came in a crucial non-conference win against North Carolina last month in which he pitched two innings. 

“I think Eli obviously struggled in his very first outing last week coming back but you saw the growth in just one week’s time with him,” Kingston said at the time. “Fastball ticked up a little bit last night, his location was better, he has good poise, he’s athletic and so he’s a guy that’s going to definitely I think help us not just for the rest of this year but moving into the future.”

In his last four appearances, Jones has only given up one earned run across the 10 innings he’s pitched. He’s got a sub 1.00 WHIP and struck out seven to just one walk. Opponents are hitting just .220 against him. 

“I think I’ve come a long way. I had a surgeon that gives me a quick turnaround for coming from surgery, you know, it’s only a ten-month program,” Jones said. “I push myself really hard and I think I’ve come a long way and I’m feeling really good. So I’m happy with where I’m at.”

Since Jones has to have five days in between appearances, he’ll see the mound again on May 10 against USC Upstate at the earliest. Until then, he’ll maintain his normal routine of flat ground throwing and long toss while he continues to navigate the difficulties of recovering from Tommy John.

“I’m only 10 months out and the feel I have found is the hardest part to get back after the surgery,” Jones said. “It’s difficult, you know, the fastball comes pretty fairly easily but the feel with the offspeed is definitely the hardest part.”

With the season winding down and crucial SEC series on deck for the Gamecocks, Jones’ return is welcomed by him and the entire team. 

“It feels really good,” Jones said after his appearance against North Florida. “In the fall and early spring it’s really hard to be in the dugout and not be able to help the team but coming back these last few weeks it feels really good.”