RANCHO CUCAMONGA (Ca.) – Frewsburg native Connor Grey is scheduled to pitch tonight for the Visalia Rawhide (Class-A Advanced, Arizona Diamondbacks) in Game 3 of the California League Championship against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
The Rawhide are currently down 2-0 in a best-of-five series. Grey’s pitching could be the difference between the beginning of Visalia’s attempt to turn the tables, and the Rawhide being swept.
Grey told WNYNewsNow Thursday afternoon that he appreciates the trust and confidence his coaches have in him, but elimination situations are what players truly live for. Grey, however, said that he’s preparing as if Friday’s game is like any other game.
“It means a lot to me that my coaches trust me in this situation, but these are the situations that you live for,” Grey said. “I’m going to prepare for this game like any other game. Just try not to make the game bigger than what it actually is.”
Grey pitched at least five innings in each of his last nine starts, an area in which he struggled earlier in the season.
Visalia previously eliminated the Stockton Ports in a best-of-five series, 3-2, to reach the championship series. Rancho Cucamonga took Games 1 and 2 of the Championship series by scores of 5-4 and 9-3, respectively.