Will Sanders, Noah Hall returning 'says a lot about our program'
South Carolina’s pitching staff will undoubtedly look different in 2023. But the anchors of the staff will be incredibly familiar faces.
The Gamecocks toiled through injury and depth issues last season. Most pundits expect this group to be much better this year. And mainstays Will Sanders and Noah Hall are ready to anchor this group.
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Both turned into full-fledged starters in 2022. They return to South Carolina with plenty to still prove heading into the season.
“It’s huge. It says a lot about our program, those kids and their character and what they think about this place and the fans. They still have something to prove,” Parker told GamecockCentral. “That was the first piece for me…I got so excited just seeing how committed those guys were.”
Sanders finished 7-3 in his first full season as a starter with a 3.42 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP over 89.1 innings.
Hall came over from App State, expected to be a Swiss Army Knife in the bullpen but was quickly thrust into a starting role because of injury. After a few bumps early, Hall turned into one of the best starters in the SEC.
In league games only, Hall led the SEC in innings pitched (62.1), was sixth in ERA (3.18), eighth in batting average against (.224) and third in strikeouts (60).
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“This is a competitor’s league. This isn’t showing up in front of 500 to 700 fans and rolling the dice. You have to be quick adjustment-makers. You have to be comfortable taking a punch and punching back,” Parker said. “Those two guys are as good as it gets in making in-game adjustments and fighting and battling. It’s huge. It’s huge cause they set the example.”
Both guys could have opted to not be back at South Carolina this season.
After a tough 2022, Sanders could have easily hopped in the transfer portal and transferred without penalty to another school. Hall’s departure also could have been easier, drafted in the 20th round by the Milwaukee Brewers.
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Hall, though, turned down legitimate money to return to school and improve his draft stock along with guys like James Hicks and Braylen Wimmer.
“That week in the summer where Noah Hall and Bryalen Wimmer and James Hicks all said, ‘Hey guys, we have a chip on our shoulder. Let’s come back and do this thing,’” Parker said. “Those were turning points. To have him back and have Will Sanders back, first and foremost those guys are battle-tested and competitors.”
