Jeff Donovan was “Dono-nating” Friday in UWW’s sweep of La Crosse

Jeff Donovan earned a rare honor following his junior season last year. The former WIAC Football Player of the Year (2009) earned 1st Team All-Conference in baseball both as a pitcher and an every day player in 2010. Donovan is well on his way of repeating that rare feat this season.

Donovan finished Friday’s twinbill vs. UW-La Crosse with four hits, five runs, and seven RBIs in a sweep of the Eagles on Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium.

“J-Doe” drove in three runs in a 10-4 game one win. In the Hawks’ 11-6 game-two victory, the senior out of Wauwatosa/East High School knocked in four runs by ripping a grand slam home run in the second inning of the nightcap.

What was the key to Donovan’s home run power Friday?

“Just get it up in the hurricane force winds and good things happen I guess,” Donovan told voiceseyeonbaseball.blogspot.com. “When the wind is blowing out I’m just looking for a pitch I can turn on and I’m pretty comfortable doing that.”

Donovan has now hit six home runs this season which leads all UWW hitters. His 44 RBI also leads the team. J-Doe not only hits for power but also for average. His .418 batting average is third highest on the team. Danny Putnam leads Hawk hitters with a .463 average. Andrew Bauer ranks second with a .455 average with limited at bats.

Donovan was not only the Warhawks’ hitting star Friday but also was the starting pitcher in game-two and picked up his 9th win of the season without a loss.

The lanky righthander pitched six and a third innings Friday afternoon. He gave up ten hits and four runs while walking three and striking out six.

Donovan isn’t the “lone ranger” when it comes to being a dominating starting pitcher on the UW-Whitewater staff.

Riley Tincher went the distance in UWW’s 10-4 game-one victory. The senior lefty from Oregon High School gave up four runs while scattering eleven hits to improve to 8-2 this season. Tincher did not give up a walk while striking out six UWL batters.

The two teams will play another doubleheader Saturday with the game-one first pitch set for 12-Noon.

UW-W will be honoring one of its own Saturday by naming the recently renovated baseball facility James B. Miller Stadium during a special dedication ceremony between games. There will be a tailgate during game two, with food and beverages provided. The tailgate will be located in the Miller Stadium Hawk's Nest (down the right field line).