Gamecocks lose pitching coach to SEC rival
June 19, 2023Not only will the Gamecocks have a bunch of new arms on the pitching staff next season, but they’ll also have a new pitching coach. Monday afternoon on Twitter, Justin Parker confirmed earlier reports that he is leaving the Gamecocks after two seasons. John Whittle of TheBigSpur and his counterpart at 247Sports at Mississippi State reported that Parker has accepted an offer from the Bulldogs.
At Mississippi State, Parker will replace Scott Foxhall, the former College of Charleston pitcher and pitching coach, who was fired after the season, two years removed from helping the Bulldogs win the national championship.
Parker spent two seasons with the Gamecocks after arriving from Indiana. This season the Gamecocks were 12th nationally with a team ERA of 4.19. They ranked 4th in walks allowed and 20th in strikeouts per nine innings.
Whittle reported the Gamecocks have hired Matt Williams of Liberty to replace Parker. Whittle reported Kingston attempted to hire Williams two years ago but he opted to stay at Liberty.
Williams is a Lancaster native who played at Spartanburg Methodist College. and at Limestone. He just completed his fourth season with the Flames. This season Liberty ranked 125th nationally in ERA at 5.73. They ranked 85th in walks allowed and 35th in strikeouts per nine innings.
