South Carolina Baseball: Ranking the top-15 pitchers in Gamecock history
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Baseball’s No. 6 Greatest Pitcher of All-Time:
Tim Lewis
Perhaps the most underrated pitcher in the history of South Carolina baseball, Tim Lewis (1973-1976) was a true mound menace for the Gamecocks. Because he was behind South Carolina legends Earl Bass and Greg Ward, Lewis’ legacy is not what it should be. However, considering his rotation mates are two of the best four or five pitchers in program history, that shouldn’t be held against Lewis.
Lewis posted an elite 36-6 record during his career on the back of a 2.46 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. Early in his time in Columbia, the Pennsylvania native was not an innings eater, but he developed into that role as an upperclassman for Bobby Richardson’s Gamecocks. His 22 complete games are tied for second in program history, only behind his teammate, Ward.
As a junior, Lewis certainly would have been heavily involved in award conversations as he dominated to the tune of an 11-0 record, 1.82 ERA, and 1.07 WHIP. In an era where high strikeout totals weren’t as common, the left-handed Lewis finished his career averaging a strikeout per inning pitched.
He had a six-year career in Minor League Baseball. He was close to breaking through to the Big Leagues a couple of times, but he never could make it to the highest level.