2022 First Team All-Suncoast Conference
2022 Suncoast Conference All-Academic Team
Why Rutgers? "I chose Rutgers University because of their prestigious academic reputation, along with the incredible coaching staff, who have a history of winning."
Head Coach Steve Owens: "Grant will be an outstanding addition to our bullpen next year. He has a ton of successful experience and displays high-level maturity in tough situations. He works quick and attacks hitters with a steady mix that allows him to pitch multiple innings against all types of hitters. He is excited about coming to Rutgers and having the opportunity to pitch in the Big Ten. We are equally excited for his arrival and look forward to his contributions on and off the field."
2023 (Junior)
Pitched 5.0 innings of relief at Minnesota, giving up just one run and strikeing out three, while walking none (5/18) ... Threw 2.0 scoreless innings of relief against Penn State, striking out three in the win (5/6) ... Tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in win over Princeton, striking out one (5/3) ... Earned first win as a starter at Northwestern, throwing 5.0 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with three strikeouts and two walks (4/22) ... Made second straight weekend start and pitched 3.0 innings against Michigan, giving up two runs on no hits, three strikeouts and six walks (4/15) ... Made first weekend start on Friday night at Maryland, going 5.0 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits, while striking out three and walking none (4/7) ... Started win over Hofstra in opener role. throwing a 1-2-3 first inning with a strikeout (4/4) ... Pitched a scoreless inning of relief against Michigan State (3/31) ... Struck out a pair in a scoreless inning of relief in win over NJIT (3/29) ... Threw 3.1 innings of relief in series opener at UConn, allowing a pair of runs (3/24) ... struck out three batters in 1.2 scoreless innings in win over Rider (3/20) ... picked up his first save as a Scarlet Knight with four-out effort in Friday night opener at Georgia Southern (3/10) ... earned the win in first appearance for Rutgers, throwing 4.0 scoreless innings in series finale win at Campbell, striking out three and walking none (2/19).
Florida SouthWestern State (JUCO)
2022 (Sophomore): Named First Team All-Conference in Suncoast Conference ... Played on a team with 11 Division-I signees, pitching in 20 games with one start and notching team-best six saves ... Dominated opposing hitters with a 1.28 ERA in 42.1 innings of work ... struck out 61 batters, good with a K/9 mark of 12.97 ... Had 11 outings of more than an inning with a season-high 5.0 inning effort in win over State College of Florida (4/18) ... Season-high seven strikeouts came in 2.2 perfect innings against No. 8 Miami Dade (2/2).
2021 (Freshman): Saw action in nine games as both a starter and reliever … threw five no-hit innings in two appearances in the FCSAA State Tournament … struck out 28 in 25.1 innings overall to help the Bucs win the Suncoast Conference title … collected a pair of saves.
2020 (Freshman): Went 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA in seven games (five starts) as a true freshman before season was halted due to pandemic … racked up 36 strikeouts in 27 innings … earned a spot on the Suncoast Conference All-Academic Team.
Prior to College: Played baseball, football and basketball at South Adams … earned all-state in baseball two times and first-team all-conference four times … recorded 130 strikeouts in 54 innings as a senior with a 0.77 ERA … overall, fanned 451 in 241 innings with a 1.27 ERA in high school … played travel baseball for the Summit City Sluggers (Fort Wayne, Indiana).
Personal: Son of Katina and Mike Besser … has a younger brother, Adam … intends to major in economics.
