Gamecocks add portal pitcher from Notre Dame
South Carolina baseball has added another key piece to next year’s team with the addition of former Notre Dame right-hander Roman Kimball, who announced his intentions to join the Gamecocks out of the transfer portal on Instagram Tuesday.
Kimball, who played just one season for the Fighting Irish, was ranked the No. 55 overall prospect in the 2021 class by Perfect Game. The New Hartford, N.Y. native was also ranked the No. 1 right-handed pitcher in the state of New York by PG.
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“I would like to thank Coach Jarrett, Coach Ristano, and the rest of the coaching staff at Notre Dame for an amazing season this year along with an opportunity to be a part of the Notre Dame family,” Kimball said in his IG post. “Notre Dame will always hold a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. This decision was very hard for my family and I, and it is very hard for me to walk away from Notre Dame.
“But, due to the recent coaching changes at Notre Dame, my family and I believe that it is best for me to transfer to the University of South Carolina to continue my academic and athletic career. I would like to thank Coach Kingston along with Coach Parker for this incredible opportunity, and I can’t wait to get back to the 803.”
As a freshman this past season, Kimball went 4-0 with a 5.76 ERA in 17 appearances, but “former Notre Dame head coach Link Jarrett viewed the right-hander … as a key cog for future Fighting Irish pitching staffs,” according to Blue and Gold’s Tyler Horka. Kimball added 32 strikeouts in 25.0 innings pitched.
The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder played his senior season at the P27 Academy in Lexington, S.C. where he tossed 49.0 innings with a 4-3 record and a 2.50 ERA with 84 strikeouts and 33 walks.
Kimball is the ninth pickup for the Gamecocks out of the portal.
Former Vanderbilt infielder Gavin Casas committed to the Gamecocks about two weeks ago.
South Carolina’s also added Memphis infielder Jacob Compton, Oral Roberts’s Caleb Denny, California’s Nick Proctor and Presbyterian’s Chris Veach. Dylan Brewer, Jonathan French and Ricky Williams will come in from Clemson.
