Pitcher named SEC Freshman of the Week
Freshman pitcher Jordan Montgomery is trying to grow a beard.
He says he hears that he looks like a 12-year-old all the time, but Montgomery’s youth didn’t show against Tennessee, as he pitched eight innings in his first SEC start and limited the Volunteers to just one run on three hits, while striking out seven and not walking anyone. Though Montgomery was credited a no-decision in the 2-1 win, he led the Gamecocks to their first Game 2 win in SEC play and temporarily secured the Saturday starting role.
As South Carolina enters the Mississippi State series with a scuffling offense, the Gamecocks will need to rely on the pitching to remain in the middle of a competitive SEC field. They will be looking to rebound from a 5-4 loss to Division II Francis Marion on Wednesday.
Before a relief appearance in extra innings against Vanderbilt, Montgomery said he didn’t think he was ready for SEC pitching. He said he didn’t expect his start to go as well as it did, but USC coach Ray Tanner said he and pitching coach Jerry Meyers expected Montgomery to be good in fall practice.
“For a guy without a lot of experience, he kind of remains composed,” Tanner said. “He doesn’t rush. A lot of times young pitchers will try to rush and do too much. He hasn’t done that, and that’s really the kind of temperament that he has as a person.”
Montgomery, who his teammates call “Gumby” because he’s tall and lanky like the claymation character, has walked just two batters, while striking 27 out, in 30 innings pitched.
While Montgomery may not have expected to perform as well as he has in SEC play, he’s not surprised by the fact that he’s only walked two people, as that was something that has been consistent for him coming out of high school.
Joining a pitching staff with ace Michael Roth, closer Matt Price and last year’s weekend starters in Colby Holmes and Forrest Koumas, Montgomery wasn’t as highly touted as other freshman pitchers like Joel Seddon and Evan Beal.
“Just come out of the bullpen, middle relief and just pitch a lefty every now and again if they need me,” Montgomery said of his own expectations in joining the Gamecocks. “But this is great.”
After his performance against Tennessee, Montgomery was named SEC Freshman of the Week, which Tanner congratulated him for, but said he didn’t talk to the freshman much more about his performance. Montgomery’s sudden rise reminds Tanner of Kip Bouknight, who had a breakout season as a freshman, earning first team All-SEC, SEC All-Freshman Team and Freshman All-American honors.
“Kip kind of burst onto the scene, having been in the bullpen in the very beginning and then gave us some great starts throughout the rest of the year,” Montgomery said. “Hopefully that can happen, but even still, he’s done a nice job as a freshman and he deserves an opportunity to pitch in the SEC weekend against Mississippi State.”
Montgomery hadn’t heard of Bouknight, but upon hearing some of his accomplishments, said he thought the praise was “pretty cool.” Montgomery also didn’t know Vanderbilt was in Tennessee, but that didn’t prevent him from throwing two scoreless innings of relief.
The pressure and the spotlight doesn’t affect Montgomery, as he said he won’t think about trying to duplicate his last performance, but just go out there and pitch. For someone who looks so young, Montgomery’s maturity is why Tanner had faith in him, though Montgomery didn’t always have faith in himself.
“I didn’t expect it, but I’m happy to have it,” Montgomery said. “I’m just trying to help out the team as best as I can, and if this means this is what I have to do, then I’ll do it.”