Dillon’s Herring Signs with Stingers

Dillon's Patrick Herring signed to play with the Florence-Darlington Stingers on Monday morning. (Photos by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD.)

Dillon’s Patrick Herring signed on to play baseball for the Florence-Darlington Technical College Stingers on Monday, February 2.

Herring plays as pitcher and catcher for the Wildcats. Last season, he had 36 hits with 29 RBI at bat for a batting average of .480. Herring pitched in three games for the Wildcats last season for a 1-1 record on the mound, facing 53 batters in 11 innings for 12 hits, 12 outs, three walks, 10 runs, and five earned runs for an ERA of 3.182. He started as catcher 19 times and played catcher in 21 games.

Herring received the Rookie Award, Coaches Award, and the Defensive MVP. He also won a state championship with Florence Post 1 baseball.

Herring says he’s been playing his whole life. “My father and my brother played so I was kind of raised into it,” he said.

He credits his brother, Philip Herring, who played for Erskine’s Flying Fleet, as a major influence in his life. “He set his goals to play in college baseball and reached them. He pushed me to limits that no one else could.”

Herring has played a few other sports, but since reaching the high school level, he has focused solely on baseball. “I realized my heart was in baseball so I stopped playing other sports to concentrate on it.”

He says his hobbies include playing baseball, duck hunting, and going to the gym. “Outside of baseball, I don’t really have time for anything else.”

Herring said he chose Florence Darlington because it wasn’t far away from home. “I received a few offers but I just knew this school was fit for me,” he said. “I can be on my own, but, if something happens, I can get back without a problem.”

The senior Wildcat will be taking many lessons and many memories with him when he graduates. “I’ve learned that you need to have respect for your teammates as well as respect for the game,” he said.

Herring’s most memorable play to date was in Manning, South Carolina.

“We were up by one run and on defense. They had a runner on third with one out. They tried to squeeze him home but I made a sliding catch going into the backstop. I then threw the runner out at third for a double play to end the inning.”

Herring plans to get an Associate Degree in Science. He hopes to spend two years at Florence-Darlington before transferring to the Citadel. While he pitches and catches for the Wildcats, he expects to only be catching in college.

From let to right: Salley Hyatt, mother; Patrick Herring; Monroe Herring, father; and Philip Herring, brother.

His parents, Salley Hyatt and Monroe Herring, said they are extremely excited that Patrick is signing with Florence Darlington Tech.

“I feel this will provide an excellent opportunity for Patrick to obtain his education of choice while at the same time doing what he loves,” his mother said. “We are very fortunate to have local colleges in our area for young men and women to begin their adult lives.”

His father added, “I am extremely proud of Patrick for deciding to better himself through education as he takes the next step into his adult life. I am also excited that he will get the opportunity to play baseball at the collegiate level because baseball has always been his passion.”

Coach Greg Dozier had high praise for Herring.

“Patrick is one of those players who you always knew would get to play at the next level. he works hard in practice to make sure he prepares himself to be ready for whatever situation might come our way. He is a four-year starter who has played many positions and pitched, but I really think he is at his best when he is behind the plate.

“I think Pat has a great future in the game of baseball.”

The Florence-Darlington Tech Stingers finished the 2014 season with a 34-18-1 record under coach Preston McDonald, falling in the third round of the NJCAA Region X Tournament. The Stingers have had five players drafted into Major League Baseball and dozens more who went on to play at other colleges.

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