Schuckman: Kirn enjoys challenge of leading Mountaineers’ pursuit of College World Series berth

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — Every step Griffin Kirn has taken in his development as a front-line left-handed starter has led to this opportunity.

Friday, the Quincy Notre Dame graduate is tasked with getting the West Virginia baseball team’s pursuit of a spot in the College World Series off on the right foot.

Admittedly, there is pressure with being the No. 1 starter for a team that has won 41 games and is seeded second in the Clemson Regional, but Kirn realizes the pressure cannot take away from the enjoyment playing in the NCAA Tournament brings.

“All of these games have pressure,” he said. “We put pressure on ourselves. Everyone has pressure. So realizing that, it’s about pitching my game and having fun. The team that has the most fun typically wins in baseball.”

As he is learning, postseason baseball is the ultimate fun.

“Oh, my gosh, it’s a blast,” Kirn said.

Life could get even more enjoyable should Kirn and the Mountaineers beat third-seeded Kentucky — the first pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday and is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPNU — and get on a roll that carries them to Omaha, Neb., the site of the CWS.

But the former Quincy University hurler isn’t allowing dreams of Omaha to creep into his psyche.

“I’ve been taking it week by week and day by day,” Kirn said. “There’s no doubt playing in Omaha would be awesome. Having that experience would be really cool. But if you start thinking big picture, you can get outside of yourself and worrying about outside factors. So you take it day by day and worrying about the job you have to do.”

Throughout this season, he’s done his job efficiently and effectively. Kirn boasts a 5-2 record with a 3.32 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 86.2 innings. He was named to the All-Big 12 Conference first team and threw a complete game with nine strikeouts in beating Cincinnati 10-3 in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament.

It’s further validation he made the right move by entering the transfer portal after last season when he was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year for the Hawks.

“I feel like I’ve proven to myself that I belong and that I can go on and pitch at the next level,” Kirn said.

That realization started to develop while pitching in the Cape Cod League in consecutive summers.

“Going to the Cape had shown me that I was good enough,” Kirn said. “But I didn’t really know for sure until last fall. The fall was a really tough atmosphere for me pitching against great hitter after great hitter. It was about getting better and learning how to get great hitters out.

“Learning different movements on the fastball is what I dove into, and that’s kind of what made me realize I could be a front-line guy for a team like this.”

His ability to get guys out has kept him in that role. Opponents are hitting just .241 against him, and he’s recorded 10 or more strikeouts in three starts.

“I throw harder,” Kirn said. “But the biggest difference is learning what gets hitters out. My big strikeout pitch is my fastball, so I kind of have to pitch backwards here. I’m starting with offspeed pitches and then blowing up guys with my fastball. 

“I don’t throw the hardest, but I come from a different angle and I have a good perceived velocity. That’s what has changed. I’m seeing the game in a different light.”

All while soaking in the knowledge the West Virginia coaching staff imparts.

“I’ve gotten better and I’ve had a ton of different resources thrown at me,” Kirn said. “I try to take full advantage of it.”

His improvements and his work ethic should lead to an opportunity to pitch beyond college. Kirn believes there’s a solid chance he gets selected in Major League Baseball’s June draft, but the focus on the future won’t take place until this season is over.

Right now, he doesn’t want this ride to end.

“It’s been fun just developing as a pitcher and playing for a great team,” Kirn said. “I can’t complain because I’m watching great baseball and getting to be a part of it. It’s been the most fun I’ve ever had on the baseball field.”

That’s bringing out the best in Kirn, too.