Nolan Nawrocki did not have to travel far to find a new home. The former Clemson Infielder will join his teammate from the North, Nathan Hallat South Carolina next season.

Nawrocki decided to continue his career with the Gamecocks, announcing it on July 3, over half a dozen schools in the ACC and SEC. Hall joined the recruiting coordinator Terry Rooney to team up and sign the versatile infielder who played most of his time at third base for the Tigers in 2024.

“I wanted to get in right away and have an impact on a program. I think we have a really good chance coming to Omaha,” Nawrocki told TheBigSpur.com. “I just felt like this is a great program and has a really rich history. I think we're going to do great things next year and I want to be a part of it.”

Before arriving at Clemson, the program wasn't well known in South Carolina. Nawrocki, a native of Rockville Centre, NY, knew a little about the Gamecocks' assistant coach. Monte Leewho will serve as his hitting coach after his arrival in Columbia.

“I know Monte from the guys at Clemson and they told me he's a great guy and a great hitting coach,” Nawrocki said. “When I walked into the portal, they were the first people to take care of me. I just loved everything they had to say to me.”

Nawrocki did not play in his freshman year at Clemson and was an All-Star in the New England Collegiate League in the summer of 2023. He parlayed that success into a starting spot at third base last season and began the year with an 11-game hitting streak, including a 3-for-7 performance and a home run against the Gamecocks.

He burned his hand in a “freak accident” that cost him several weeks on the field and ended up spending some time at third base and as a designated hitter when he was in the starting lineup.

“It hurt to have to take two weeks off in the middle of the season,” Nawrocki said. “I was just getting into the swing of things and everything was going well. This happened and was definitely a setback. It was tough because I didn't have much opportunity in the infield after my injury and I was out every day before that. After that, it was hard to get back into the swing of things, but no excuses. I didn't produce like I'm capable of. But it was definitely a big factor in my season.”

At the time of his injury, Nawrocki had a batting average of .381 with three home runs, one double, 13 RBIs, eleven steals and an on-base percentage of .426.

The right-hander finished the season with a batting average of .264 with five doubles, four home runs and 24 RBIs in 36 games played. In 125 at-bats, he scored 28 runs, walked 13 and had 29 strikeouts.

“I would describe myself as a really nervous athlete,” Nawrocki said. “I'm willing to do whatever it takes. I'm going to bust my ass every day and go to work. The main thing coaches say about me is that I'm a good athlete who's willing to do whatever it takes and that I'm a competitor.”

South Carolina has received 10 commitments from players in the NCAA transfer portal.