After leading the Sun Belt Conference in wins during his freshman year and posting a 3.14 ERA in his sophomore season, Garrett Gainous looked to continue improving.
However, Gainous sustained an injury in fall of 2022 and was reinjured the following spring while building back up for the 2023 season.
“It wasn’t the happiest moment, but it worked out well in the end,” Gainous said. “I remember my dad calling me and telling me whatever happens with this process we’re here for you.”
The redshirt junior from Cairo, Georgia said one of the toughest parts of his recovery was not being able to take part in the 2023 season.
“I was very fortunate to go through a smooth physical recovery,” Gainous said. “The hardest part was watching us play.
“When you’re watching really good baseball, all you want to do is be a part of it.”
Gainous has since recovered and become a staple of the Trojans’ pitching staff in 2024. His pitch count has increased every outing this season, and the right-handed pitcher has built up to 75 pitches in a recent outing against Appalachian State.
Although Gainous said it was a strange feeling at first to pitch again, he has since settled in. Gainous has struck out 29 batters in 23.2 innings this season, the highest rate of his collegiate career.
“I remember the first batter I faced this season, I had no clue where the ball was going,” Gainous said. “After I got through the first batter, I felt a lot more relaxed and started getting into the rhythm of things.”
During his time off the field, Gainous says he’s gained a new perspective on baseball.
“You learn to slow the game down, step back and take in the mental approach of getting ready for a game,” Gainous said. “I think you can develop a lot more maturity as a player if you just step back and watch the game.”
Now that he’s back, Gainous says he appreciates the competitive aspect of baseball.
“Last year, there weren’t a lot of competitive opportunities for me besides competing against myself in rehab,” Gainous said. “Being out on the mound and having a competitive atmosphere is game changing for me, and that’s what I want as a D1 baseball player.”
Currently, Gainous says he’s committed to competing and learning every time he toes the rubber.
“I’m just trying to give everything I’ve got daily,” Gainous said. “Every outing, I want to get better at something, whether that be my feel for the breaking ball, my command or anything.”
Comments