Grayson Grinsell opens up on coaching conversations with pitching staff

Oregon freshman Grayson Grinsell wasn’t supposed to be the Ducks’ go-to guy in the NCAA Tournament. Nonetheless, he’s stepped up to the challenge.

Grinsell was pivotal in Oregon’s dominant 11-2 victory over Xavier on June 4 to advance to the NCAA Super Regionals. In the win, Grinsell pitched for four innings, throwing a career-high seven strikeouts while giving up zero runs.

Although Grinsell was fantastic on the mound, he wasn’t the Ducks’ first choice to be there. Oregon’s ace, Jace Stoffal, hasn’t played in a game since April 28 due to a finger injury that has limited his throwing ability.

Stoffal has won three Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week awards this season while boasting a 2.83 ERA. The 6-foot-3 junior didn’t let his injury prevent him from impacting the game.

“[Stoffal] has really been pushing all us younger guys, telling us, ‘Stick with it. Just keep pushing and doing what you’re doing. It’s really helped out a lot,” Grinsell told the press on Wednesday.

The unfamiliar situation has been an adjustment for Grinsell and his fellow pitchers. With Stofall going down at the worst time possible, the bullpen had two options: step up or watch the season crumble. Grinsell says it was an easy decision.

“We kind of all understood. We really haven’t had much conversations about it. We all understand what the situation is and really just we all have to step up, and we all have.”

The remaining Oregon pitchers stepped up, and then some. The cannon-armed crew boosted the Ducks to the Pac-12 Championship and a clean sweep at the Nashville Regional. Admittedly, it wasn’t always easy.

Grinsell struggled in the first game of the Nashville Regional, throwing for just two innings before being removed. Yet, thanks to his teammates and coaches, the left-handed pitcher returned at an all-time high just two days later.

“Every guy comes in saying, ‘Hey, I got your back. We’re going to get this done.’ That’s really what it comes down to,” Grinsell said.

Oregon will look to continue its special run on Friday as it takes on Oral Roberts in Game 1 of the Eugene Super Regionals at 5 p.m. PT. The teams will compete in a best-of-three series to advance to the World Series. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.

The post Grayson Grinsell opens up on coaching conversations with pitching staff appeared first on On3.