McCormick is the epitome of a team player

Injury in 2017 didn’t derail McCormick on the diamond.

By Shaun Scott • April 4, 2018 8:30 am
Shaun Scott, staff photo Bellevue Bulldogs sophomore Griffin McCormick currently is batting .308 at the plate through 23 games thus far during the 2018 season. The Bulldogs have an overall record 7-16.
Shaun Scott, staff photo Bellevue Bulldogs sophomore Griffin McCormick currently is batting .308 at the plate through 23 games thus far during the 2018 season. The Bulldogs have an overall record 7-16.

What a difference a year has made on the baseball diamond for Bellevue Bulldogs sophomore infielder Griffin McCormick.

McCormick, who missed all but five games during his freshman season in 2017 with a dislocated left elbow, has completely recovered and is taking advantage of the opportunity of being in the starting lineup this spring. McCormick has gone 20-for-65 at the plate with 13 RBI and 19 BB at press time. McCormick’s batting average of .308 currently is the best on the Bulldogs roster. McCormick, who plays second base and the outfield for the Bulldogs, bats left-handed and throws right-handed.

“I like to think of myself as a power hitter but I’m definitely not. I’m more of a singles hitter. I will take my ABs (at-bats) and I will take my walks. I try to be pretty cerebral when I get up to the plate,” McCormick said.

The Bulldogs have struggled in early season action but McCormick expects his team to rebound in the coming weeks and months. The Bulldogs overall record is 7-16 overall at this juncture.

“For me, I’m trying to do what I can to help the team win. It is not really about what I can do for myself. If I can help this team win games that means a lot more to me than my personal stats,” McCormick said. “Offensively things haven’t been put together and the pitching is struggling here and there. As long as we continue to trust each other and I trust everybody for sure, I think we are going to be successful. We are not going to hit the panic button too quick. We’ll continue to compete day in and day out.”

McCormick’s uncle Brent Williams played baseball at Bellevue College in the 1970s.

“The tradition of the program is what really opened my eyes. That is why I wanted to go to Bellevue,” McCormick said of his decision to play baseball for the Bulldogs.

Recently the Bellevue Reporter had an opportunity to ask McCormick a few questions about his life away from the baseball field.

Bellevue Reporter: What is your favorite restaurant in Bellevue?

Griffin McCormick: It has to be 13 Coins. It is a little different from a lot of other places. It might be more spendy but it’s an interesting place for sure.

BR: What kind of music are you listening to the most in your iPod right now?

GM: Chris Stapleton (country/rock singer).

BR: What is the last movie you saw in the theater?

GM: “Black Panther.” I thought it was a really good movie.

BR: What is your biggest pet peeve?

GM: It has to be the visors that flip down when you’re driving in your car. That drives me crazy.

BR: What is something unique about you that nobody would know?

GM: I love to fish in the summer time.

BR: Who was your idol growing up?

GM: My mom and dad for sure. We have a tight-knit family altogether.

BR: What is your dream vacation spot?

GM: I have never been to Hawaii. That would be a pretty cool place to go. Somewhere warm and dry for sure.