Griffin Herring reveals how he came out sharp despite recent layoff

Griffin Herring isn’t afraid of a little downtime. After over two weeks off, the LSU pitcher put on a show on the mound in LSU’s 5-2 win over Wake Forest on Wednesday.

In the victory, Herring pitched for 4.2 innings, giving up three hits and zero runs. Further, the 6-foot-2 freshman delivered a career-high six strikeouts. Herring’s performance couldn’t have come at a better time.

After falling in heartbreaking 3-2 fashion to the Demon Deacons on Monday, LSU’s season was on the line during Wednesday’s matchup. With plenty of rest, Herring tore up Wake Forest with little trouble. After the game, Herring discussed how he stayed in rhythm despite last pitching on June 5.

“We throw weekly bullpens. Coach Wes Johnson, he does a great job with us. Really good catch play. A lot of intent with everything that we’re doing,” Herring said. “And pure adrenaline. This place is awesome. I think I kind of was able to feed off the adrenaline instead of letting it get to me, kind of like a steroid shot.”

. @LSUbaseball Griffin Herring talks adrenaline in postgame and it's hilarious. #LSU pic.twitter.com/aEob7BdtN4

— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) June 22, 2023

LSU head coach Jay Johnson responded with a laugh.

“We’ll make sure the adrenaline isn’t on the NCAA banned substances list.”

Despite any goofy press conference quotes, Herring has earned respect on LSU’s veteran squad as only a freshman. Herring boasts a 3.94 ERA and a 5-2 record. Moreover, the left-handed pitcher has just three wild pitches in 34 innings.

Herring was a solidified threat by the time he graduated high school. Hailing from Texas, Herring was named the 2022 Dallas Morning News Player of the Year and the Player of the Year on the Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association’s Class 6A all-state baseball team.

Accomplishments like those only gave Johnson more faith in his first-year pitcher. His faith was well-placed.

“[Herring] mixed well. I thought he threw all his pitches for strikes. He had great composure. I think he plays older than his age,” Johnson said. “Throughout this season, he’s pitched in enough high-leverage spots that — there’s a few Fridays in a row, I want to say, we brought him after Paul [Skenes] to complete Friday three weeks in a row for wins.”

LSU will need excellent pitching once again tonight as the Tigers take on Wake Forest at 7 p.m. in the Men’s College World Series. The winner will advance to championship series. The game tonight will be broadcast on ESPN2.