Sanders Named to Golden Spikes Award Watch List
CARY, N.C. – Junior righthanded pitcher Will Sanders has been named to the Golden Spikes Award Watch List, USA Baseball announced this afternoon (Friday, Feb. 10). Sanders is one of 55 players on the list, kicking off the process of identifying the nation’s top amateur baseball player for the 2023 season.
Sanders, who was named Preseason All-America second team by three different organizations, was 7-3 with a 3.43 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 89.1 innings pitched as a sophomore in 2022. The righthander finished fifth in the SEC in innings pitched and 10th in both ERA and strikeouts. He tied a Founders Park record with 14 strikeouts against Clemson on March 4 and had 11 strikeouts in seven innings of work in a win over Vanderbilt on March 25. Sanders struck out 10 batters in the SEC Tournament game against Florida (May 24), allowing just four hits and an unearned run in seven innings of work.
Sanders enters 2023 with 13 career wins, a 3.47 ERA and 145 career strikeouts.
The Atlanta native is no stranger to USA Baseball, as he pitched for the Collegiate National Team in 2021.
The Gamecocks will open the 2023 season on Friday, Feb. 17 against UMass Lowell. First pitch at Founders Park is scheduled for 4 p.m.
