Donovan getting more acclimated to pitching again

It might not make big headlines around the state in Sunday’s newspapers, but the winning pitcher in UW-Whitewater’s 15-3 victory over UW-Stout on Saturday was Jeff Donovan. Normally the Hawks’ starting first baseman, Donovan was making his third appearance on the mound this season, including two starts.

Donovan pitched 6 innings, scattering five hits while giving up just two earned runs.

“It really felt good getting work in (on the mound), getting time on the mound to get a feel for my mechanics,” Donovan told “Voice” Pattison following his six inning mound effort. “I was really getting comfortable at the end.

Donovan allowed just one base runner over his last three innings on the mound..

Donovan said the most exciting thing about the day was having the opportunity to pitch a Prucha Field for the first time in his career.

Despite his pitching success at the high school level, it’s a different “animal” at the college level according to Donovan.

“You can’t make high school pitches anymore,” Donovan said. “If you leave it up they are going to pound it. It is very important to get ahead in the count. That’s what our coaches’ coach, and that’s what our pitchers do.”

At this point of the season, Riley Tincher is No. 1 in the Hawks’ starting rotation. The rest of the regular rotation appears to be Aaron Leitner (Sophomore transfer from Lawrence University), Jason Hooper (senior from Lake Mills) with Donovan making a strong claim for the fourth starting spot with his performance on Saturday,

With the weather forcing this past Wednesday’s scheduled doubleheader at Platteville to be played Friday, Whitewater is now is a segment of playing doubleheaders Friday, Saturday and Sunday with another doubleheader at Platteville this coming Wednesday.

There is no doubt that the situation will have an impact on Whitewater's pitching staff. So far, so good however. Whitewater and Stout will play two more games on Sunday at brand spanking new James B. Miller Stadium. First pitch of game-one will be at high-noon..