Campbell Camels two-way player Grant Knipp declared himself as the Shohei Ohtani of college baseball after a phenomenal outing on Tuesday night. He was a crucial piece to the 7-6 victory over East Carolina at the plate and on the mound.
Knipp, a redshirt junior, was one of the best players in the country last season. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound catcher received First-Team all-Big South honors and was named the Big South Tournament MVP.
Not one of his 55 appearances came as a pitcher. He did not record a single inning from the bump at Alabama in 2021, or at Campbell in 2022 or 2023.
That changed on Tuesday! Grant Knipp made his first-career appearance in relief and shut the door as a closer during the ninth inning.
Not only did Knipp pick up the save, he did so after catching the first eight innings. And the Camels would not have won without his bat!
Knipp crushed a three-run home run 389 feet to right field to take a 3-0 lead during the third inning. His sacrifice fly in the fifth was also crucial to the one-run victory.
While speaking to his impressive performance after his collegiate pitching debut, Knipp quipped that he is the Ohtani of his sport in reference to his role as a two-way player. He had a big smile on his face.
Not to take away from Knippβs monster night, that title is already held by Jac Calianone. Floridaβs slugger first baseman also serves as its Sunday starter.
Nevertheless, Knipp is one of the brightest stars on a Campbell team that should not only make the NCAA Tournament, but could make a run to Omaha. The Camels started their year with a series win over No. 17 UCSB and followed it up with a midweek win over No. 11 ECU. They are on fire to begin the year and the unofficial Shohei Ohtani of college baseball is a big reason why!