Nick Proctor embracing pitching meaningful innings in bullpen role with Gamecocks

The familiar sound of Carl Douglas’ “Kung Fu Fighting” pumps through the Founders Park speakers. It usually means only one thing: Nick Proctor is pitching.

At a glance, Proctor doesn’t bring much of an intimidating presence. He’s 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, with a fastball that tops out in the upper 80’s. But what might seem like weaknesses are advantages for him.

He instead relies on his secondary pitches and deception to get hitters out. And so far, he’s been doing just fine.

“I’m a big slider guy, and I think that’s definitely a big part of providing a different look,” Proctor said.

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On Tuesday, he entered with one out in the sixth inning of a tie ballgame. South Carolina desperately needed him to provide length for a bullpen trying to save its best for the upcoming weekend. And that’s just what he did.

Proctor didn’t waste any time getting down to business. The first batter he faced popped out before he got an outside corner call for strike three to end the sixth.

He kicked it into high gear in the seventh by striking out the side in order, followed by another 1-2-3 frame in the eighth to end his night. He finished without allowing a hit on five strikeouts and no walks.

“Today was more of a fastball-slider combo,” Proctor said. “Working with Cole (Messina) is one of my favorite things to do. We got in a rhythm there kind of executing both sides of the plate, both pitches, and I think that really helped out today.”

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Proctor would be key in the Gamecocks’ 10-4 win over the Buccaneers. It’s just another strong outing for the fifth-year right-hander who has continued to progress as the season has worn on.

“He’s very important. You want as many options out of the bullpen as you can have,” head coach Mark Kingston said. “He’s an older guy, he’s had a lot of success coming from Cal. So he’s a guy we’re going to need with Noah Hall, with his six or seven innings every weekend not being accounted for now.”

“We need other guys to fill those gaps. Some guys may have to pitch twice on weekends than once. He’s just going to be one of those guys that, because of where he’s trending, he’ll be one of those guys.”

A four-year pitcher with the California Golden Bears, Proctor transferred to South Carolina last June to help what was a struggling bullpen.

“I definitely think as time has gone on I’ve gotten more comfortable,” Proctor said. “It definitely was a bit hard kind of to feel like how you should feel. And the transition had definitely been hard in the past. But I think being with my teammates and being around the guys every day, you forget about how far you are away from home, go out there and have fun with your teammates.”

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It wasn’t easy for Proctor to pitch in his new surroundings at first, though. After two scoreless appearances to start the year, he gave up four runs to close out February.

But since the beginning of March, opponents have only scored one run against him. He’s pitching to a 3.38 ERA with 19 strikeouts to four walks across 13.1 innings.

“Recently, I’ve definitely been embracing that, kind of just soaking in the moment. And I think that’s really helped me out a bit,” he said.

With this being his only season as a Gamecock, the fan base has done its best to embrace Proctor.

“I mean, even on Tuesdays, it was a great show out there. It’s fun to be out there in front of fans,” Proctor said. “It’s my fifth year of college. I think just sometimes stepping back and being like, ‘It’s awesome. I get to play in front of the crowd every day, in front of these guys. And I think just enjoying the moment has really helped me out.”

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