Griffen Herrera selected as the Spotlight Player of the Week.
ALBANY, N.Y.- In the final week of the 2018 regular season, Griffen Herrera (Azusa Pacific) hit .500 (9-for-18) with a home run, two doubles, and five RBI to earn week eight Spotlight Player of the Week Honors.
Herrera, a second year Dutchmen, raised his average over 20 points up to .304, entering the final two games of the regular season.
In four games, Herrera hit safely in each of them, including three multi-hit games and at least one RBI in each of his four games. Coming off an injury which sidelined him for ten days, Herrera is ecstatic to have returned to the lineup and be productive.
On July 23rd at Oneonta, Griffen went 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI. He also reached on a hit-by-pitch.
Three days later on the road at Saugerties, Herrera hit a home run in the eighth inning which proved to be the game-winner in a 6-5 win over the Stallions.
Herrera is taking a new approach at the plate, which he thinks is a big contributing factor to his success. “My plan at the plate has been seeing pitched elevated and staying through the baseball so I don’t toll over, and that all starts with my batting practice approach and getting my work in before the game.”
Overall, to go along with his .304 batting average, Herrera has ten extra base hits, including three homers, 21 RBI, and nine stolen bases.
With the Dutchmen going back to the playoffs, Griffen is excited for the postseason. “It feels pretty good going to playoffs again, “It feels good going to playoffs again. I think our chances are good but that first game is the most important game to get through,” Herrera said.
Looking back at his two years with the Dutchmen, Herrera said “I’ve had an unforgettable time with the Dutchmen for the past two summers, from not stepping on home plate to my awesome host family and going to the Durfee’s house for team bonding.”
Griffen looks forward to returning to Azusa Pacific University in a few weeks to help produce to another championship season. “My goal at APU is hopefully contribute to another conference championship as well as dog piling at the Division 2 World Series.
