Eli Jones: From Tommy John to opening day starter
After coming back from Tommy John surgery nearly two years ago, South Carolina pitcher Eli Jones finds himself as the Opening Day starter for the Gamecocks entering his junior year. The road has not been easy for the right-hander but the news came as a dream come true.
“I found out earlier this week. The coaches called me into the office, it was kind of like I was staying on the same plan. They hadn’t said anything yet and then they finally told me,” Jones said. “It was a really good feeling.”
Jones got a late start as a freshman, not making his season debut until March 29, 2022. But he made six starts, pitching to a 5.68 ERA over 12.2 innings.
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In his sophomore year, Jones became a mid-week starter and main relief pitcher for South Carolina. Jones excelled in this position making a name for himself. However, starting on Opening Day is a little bit of a different feeling for him.
“Being week one, with it being opening day it is a little bit different,” Jones said. “Once again, it’s the same game and I get to throw to this guy right here [Cole Messina] and it makes my life a whole lot easier.”
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With his injury well behind him, Jones will have a chance to prove himself as the ace of this staff. And despite his dream coming true, the nerves are still there for Jones ahead of Friday’s game against Miami (Ohio).
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“Obviously the excitement’s there. It’s one of those things as a pitcher you dream of your whole life and you finally get the opportunity to do it,” Jones said. “It is hard to kind of push those nerves out but at the same time it’s the same game I played my whole life and I’m ready for it.”
Despite battling injuries throughout his career, Jones has shown major improvements as a pitcher throughout his time at South Carolina. He also has the respect and confidence of the guys around him to go out there and get outs.
“Eli Jones has just been a steady, steady pitcher for us and just keeps getting better and better,” head coach Mark Kingston said. “He’s earned the right to be that first guy.”
