Comeback Kid
May 19, 2005 10:28 PM | General
May 20, 2005
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – At his lowest point when he was told he needed Tommy John surgery on his left elbow, West Virginia University senior pitcher Marty Fagler could have never imagined recovering to the point where he’s at right now.
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| Senior Marty Fagler owns a team-best 2.77 earned run average and a 6-2 record heading into Friday's game against Notre Dame.
All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks |
Fagler, a Uniontown, Pa., native, began his junior season in 2003 pitching effectively for the Mountaineers, winning his only two decisions when he felt something pop his elbow trying to throw an off-speed pitch.
“My arm just went,” he said. “That was about as bad as it gets right there.”
Having Tommy John surgery is usually a one-to-two year proposition to fully recover from. Fagler knew that his injury was probably going to stretch the limits of his college eligibility.
“I had thoughts that I might not be able to pitch again because it might take too long,” he admitted.
Fagler missed all of last year and was able to get a fifth year of eligibility this season. It took him most of the fall to get back to the point where he could throw full speed and not worry about anything. As for breaking balls and off-speed pitches, that was completely out of the question.
“Last fall I was really worried how I was going to do this year. Once the fall season was over and we took a break and I came back this spring my arm just felt great,” Fagler said.
When Fagler arrived at West Virginia University as a freshman in 2001, Mountaineer coach Greg Van Zant had big plans for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette all-star. But as soon as he arrived it seemed like he could never stay healthy enough to stay on the mound.
“When I first came I got a decent scholarship and I really just couldn’t perform,” Fagler said. “I felt bad and there was nothing I could do; they were giving me all this money and all I could throw more than 20 innings in a season without having arm problems.”
Up until this year, Fagler had never pitched more than 21 innings in a single season. But during the times he did pitch he was effective enough to have a winning 3-1 record and a decent 45 strikeouts in 54 and 2/3 innings pitched.
This year, Fagler started the season pitching out of the bullpen.
“I knew I wasn’t going to come in and start right away,” he said. “They would probably ease me in and throw me in relief. When I came in my arm felt really good and I was able to pitch without any soreness or pain. Then I just gradually came along and was able to throw longer and longer.”
After a pair of relief appearances against Coastal Carolina and East Tennessee State, Fagler got his first start of the year against Niagara. He pitched effectively, allowing just one earned run through seven innings to pick up his first win of the year.
Fagler followed with effective starts against Coppin State, Savannah State and Akron before injuries on the staff opened up the way for him to get his first career conference start at Pitt on April 30. Fagler was able to keep the Mountaineers in the game, lasting 6 and 2/3 innings, but West Virginia eventually lost the game 6-5.
Fagler went eight strong innings against Seton Hall, allowing just one earned run to help West Virginia to an easy 21-1 victory.
His most recent start last weekend at Villanova was the finest pitching performance of his career and easily the best outing by any West Virginia pitcher this year.
Fagler went toe to toe against one of the Big East’s top pitchers in Nick Allen and was able to come out with a 1-0 victory. In fact, Fagler came within a dropped foul ball by sophomore catcher David Carpenter from recording his first career complete-game shutout.
Van Zant says Fagler’s velocity was the best it has been since his senior year in high school when he was being pursued by several local schools.
“He was getting his fastball by hitters,” said Van Zant.
“I was in a groove and I had command of my pitches. I was working batters well, hitting spots and letting the ball go. I felt great,” Fagler admitted.
Even though Fagler is 23 years old and has a history of arm trouble, Van Zant believes Fagler still has a shot of pitching profession baseball.
But Fagler says he isn’t counting on it.
“There are probably a lot of scouts that are kind of iffy toward me,” he said. “Whatever happens happens. I’ve gone out and tried my best this year. A lot of teams and scouts are looking for younger players.”
Yet like any college player, Fagler still dreams of getting the chance to play pro ball.
“I’d love the chance to play. It’s always been a dream and if anyone gave me the opportunity I’d go for sure,” he said.
Regardless of whether or not he gets a chance to play professionally when the Major League draft takes place in June, Fagler can take satisfaction in knowing he has fully recovered from major surgery on his pitching elbow.
He has allowed just one earned run in his last 16 2/3 innings pitched and lowered his earned run average to a season-low 2.77. His 6-2 record is second on the team to Wes Osbourn's 7-3 record.
“I’m really pleased how things worked out this season,” he said. “Going into this year I had never started a Big East game and I wasn’t even sure how I would do in the Big East. Now that I have pitched this year I know I can win in the Big East and against good pitchers and good teams.
“I came back and I feel good about myself because I was able to help the team,” he added.
Fagler will get one final opportunity to pitch Friday afternoon against Notre Dame. The Mountaineers (25-27, 10-12) still have a slim chance of making the four-team Big East tournament, but must jump Notre Dame, Connecticut and Rutgers to do so.
Still, West Virginia has rebounded from a disappointing start to win seven of their last eight games and finish the season on a positive note. A major reason why is the resurgence of Marty Fagler.
