South Carolina pitcher James Hicks serving as versatile 'weapon' early

James Hicks had to wait a year to fully show what he can do in a South Carolina uniform. And the Gamecocks right-hander is making up for the lost time. 

He’s been maybe the most versatile pitcher on an already great pitching staff, doing whatever the Gamecocks need him to do in order to win games. And he’s been great at it. 

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“The great thing about him is he is just so open to doing whatever this team needs. He’s selfless. (Hicks is) a competitor who wants to win and be part of a big-time winning team. He’s done whatever we’ve asked,” Mark Kingston said.

“He could easily be started on the weekend for us right now. He’s started and closed and everything in between. Right now he’s just a weapon. We’re using him in a number of different ways and he’s open to all of them.” 

Hicks has been maybe the team’s best and most versatile pitcher to start the season, sitting at a paltry 0.93 ERA and just a 0.672 WHIP 19.1 innings into the year. 

But he’s not just doing it out of the pen or to start games. The Gamecocks have used him as a starter, as a closer and in a few other roles throughout the season with production wherever he is. 

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In two midweek starts this year, Hicks has given up just two hits and three walks over seven shutout innings, striking out six in the process. But he’s been even better out of the bullpen. 

He’s made five relief appearances so far this season, giving up just five hits and two runs in 12.1 innings with one walk to nine strikeouts in a variety of different roles. 

The right-hander has been used in long relief–pitching a magical five innings in a series-clinching win over Clemson–and as a closer, including a one-out stint in the first-game win at Georgia. 

“I’ve tried not to get caught up in roles,” Hicks said. “I’ve gone out there whenever they’ve called my name and do my job the best I can and compete to the best of my abilities. Whenever that is, I’m fine with it.” 

He was instrumental in that sweep at Georgia. Hicks was the pitcher to get out of a jam with two away and the tying run at third base. He did that on two pitches then came back around 24 hours later to pitch a perfect inning on just 11 pitches (7 strikes) to secure the run-rule win. 

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That was big with Hicks for a few reasons. The biggest was the quick turnaround as he still works his way back from Tommy John surgery. 

“It was awesome. I think that’s the first time in my career I pitched back-to-back days,” he said. “Granted the first one was two pitches, so i don’t know if you count that fully. It was awesome. I hope I get to do more of that this year.”

This is all coming fast for Hicks, who missed out on his chance to do it last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Some pitchers still take some time to knock the rust off. But Hicks seems rust-free early and doesn’t want him just a year removed from surgery to be a crutch if he struggles. 

“Coach (Justin) Parker mentions that to me. But that’s not the way i think. Every time i go out there I should be at my best. I don’t really like using that excuse.”

Despite getting drafted, Hicks decided to come back to Columbia for one more season and to show what he can truly do in the garnet and black. 

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And it’s been incredibly successful early for South Carolina. 

“All the things a pitcher needs to be, he has,” Kingston said. He has great composure, really good stuff, command, he has movement on his pitches. Everything you’re looking for he has.”

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