2008 Woodie Awards
McDonald Injured Once Again
Baseball: Bullpen Shines After Starter's Injury In 4th
Mike Northup
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: Sports
Everything was working for Matt McDonald on the mound against Central Connecticut on Wednesday. His curveball kept the Blue Devils' bats off-balance, his fastball was being thrown for strikes and he felt the best he had since injuring his right ankle over a month ago against UMass.
And then with one pitch his day was done.
After holding CCSU scoreless on three hits through the first 4 2/3 innings, McDonald tweaked his groin muscle with a 1-2 count against leadoff hitter Sean Allaire and had to leave the game. He was unsure after the game how serious the injury was, but said he was still in pain.
"It was extremely frustrating; I think the mound has something against me," McDonald said.
The injury brought back memories of McDonald's first start at J.O. Christian field in the Huskies' home opener against UMass on March 24, when McDonald landed off the mound funny and severely injured his right ankle. Unlike last time, however, McDonald was able to walk off the field to the dugout under his own power.
"Just the follow through on one of my pitches, I jerked my leg a little too hard I think," McDonald said. "Felt something and tried to throw another pitch but it was too painful to go so I had to shut it down."
McDonald said he was frustrated he didn't get to finish off his start, but the players that followed him in the bullpen made sure not to spoil his quality outing, throwing 4 1/3 innings of no-hit and shutout baseball.
"It was very good," said coach Jim Penders. "We got absolutely shellacked this past weekend and to have a shutout after that is what the doctor ordered. I can't really ask for much more than what we got today."
Only one CCSU batter reached second base all day.
Because a starting pitcher needs to complete five full innings to earn the win, the victory officially went to Dusty Odenbach (3-3), who received credit for the final out in the fifth inning by getting Allaire to ground out to shortstop Mike Olt on the very first pitch he threw after taking over for McDonald.
And then with one pitch his day was done.
After holding CCSU scoreless on three hits through the first 4 2/3 innings, McDonald tweaked his groin muscle with a 1-2 count against leadoff hitter Sean Allaire and had to leave the game. He was unsure after the game how serious the injury was, but said he was still in pain.
"It was extremely frustrating; I think the mound has something against me," McDonald said.
The injury brought back memories of McDonald's first start at J.O. Christian field in the Huskies' home opener against UMass on March 24, when McDonald landed off the mound funny and severely injured his right ankle. Unlike last time, however, McDonald was able to walk off the field to the dugout under his own power.
"Just the follow through on one of my pitches, I jerked my leg a little too hard I think," McDonald said. "Felt something and tried to throw another pitch but it was too painful to go so I had to shut it down."
McDonald said he was frustrated he didn't get to finish off his start, but the players that followed him in the bullpen made sure not to spoil his quality outing, throwing 4 1/3 innings of no-hit and shutout baseball.
"It was very good," said coach Jim Penders. "We got absolutely shellacked this past weekend and to have a shutout after that is what the doctor ordered. I can't really ask for much more than what we got today."
Only one CCSU batter reached second base all day.
Because a starting pitcher needs to complete five full innings to earn the win, the victory officially went to Dusty Odenbach (3-3), who received credit for the final out in the fifth inning by getting Allaire to ground out to shortstop Mike Olt on the very first pitch he threw after taking over for McDonald.
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