Will McGillis feeling like his old self back at top of Gamecocks lineup
Will McGillis was riding high, playing some of his best baseball. Then something changed.
After getting off to a strong start in his first season at South Carolina, he broke a bone in his arm in late March. He went from being a focal point at the top of the team’s lineup to missing 4-6 weeks of action.
This could’ve been the beginning of the end for McGillis. But Mark Kingston made sure to still make him feel included despite being unable to play.
“Coach Kingston let me still travel with the team. So I didn’t feel like I was a recluse or separated, which doesn’t always happen,” McGillis said. “So it was good to just feel like I was still a part of the clubhouse and with the guys, even though I wasn’t out on the field.”
[Special! 50% off of GamecockCentral]
McGillis went on to miss 32 games. During that span, the Gamecocks went 18-14, a shell of how good it had been when he was healthy and leading off.
To Kingston, it felt much longer than a month of missed games. He had been so valuable to the group. Before the injury, he was slashing .297/.480/.770 with 10 homers and only 12 strikeouts in 23 games. South Carolina went 21-2 in that stretch.
When McGillis did make his return, it was short-lived. He was used as a pinch-runner for two games before getting real at-bats against Charlotte. But then more bad news came his way.
[Get news from GamecockCentral via email]
He re-aggravated his injury on a check swing and exited the game. But he managed to find the good from the tough situation.
“It was good for me to get three at-bats against Charlotte a couple weeks ago, even though I re-aggravated it,” McGillis said. “I saw the ball a little bit and then I got a few live at-bats in practice and that was good.”
Top 10
- 1Hot
Updated SEC title game scenarios
The path to the championship game is clear
- 2
SEC refs under fire
'Incorrect call' wipes Bama TD away
- 3
'Fire Kelly' chants at LSU
Death Valley disapproval of Brian Kelly
- 4
Chipper Jones
Braves legend fiercely defends SEC
- 5
Drinkwitz warns MSU
Mizzou coach sounded off
It wouldn’t be until the postseason when McGillis saw his next at-bats. He had been feeling much better and took batting practice without much pain the day before regional play began.
[Garnet Trust: Become an NIL supporter]
Greeted with a loud ovation when he batted for the first time, McGillis got right back to work. He singled on the third pitch he saw and his play took off from there.
In three games as the designated hitter, McGillis went 5-for-13 with two homers and five RBI. He played a big part in helping South Carolina win a regional for the first time since 2018.
“Now, I feel like I’m back up to full-speed after getting some more at-bats,” McGillis said.
[Subscribe to GamecockCentral’s YouTube page]
With McGillis back to his old self, South Carolina will be depending on him to continue hitting at a high level. The Gamecocks will begin Super Regional play against Florida Friday night in Gainesville.
When the Gamecocks take the field on Saturday, McGillis will be squaring up against Hurston Waldrep, one of his old teammates at Southern Miss.
“It’ll be fun. I’ll be happy to see Hurston. But when we play the game you try and tune out any outside noise and try not to play emotional, just play with emotion and just focus on one pitch at a time,” McGillis said. “So I’ll try and tune it out during the game but it’ll be good to see him.”
