Borowiec bounces back from surgery to lift Lancers
April, 1 2009
By Jen Toland, Worcester Telegram & Gazette Staff
Mike Borowiec had done it a million times
before - thrown a baseball, that is - but as he gripped the seams
that day last summer at PT Innovations in Auburn and eyed his
target, 15 feet away, a strange and unfamiliar feeling overcame
him.
"I was so nervous," Borowiec said, "because I didn't know what to
expect."
Today marks 14 months since the Worcester State junior pitcher
underwent Tommy John surgery. The procedure on Borowiec's right
elbow was performed by Dr. William Morgan (of
Curt Schilling/bloody sock fame) and, judging by
the way Borowiec has started the season, it was a success.
On March 16, Borowiec made his season debut - and first start
since May 1, 2007 - against Amherst. In a no-decision, he went six
innings and allowed one hit and one earned run. When he stepped on
the mound that day in Lakeland, Fla., the nerves were long
gone.
"By that time, I had played the moment over so many times in my
head," Borowiec said. "For more than a year, all I thought about
was baseball."
Borowiec, who led David Prouty to the 2004 Central Mass. Division
3 championship, said his injury developed over time - he throws a
lot of curveballs. By the end of the '07 season, his arm was
"killing" him and his fingers were numb.
The decision to have surgery was a major one. Once he went through
with it - "I owe Dr. Morgan a lot," he said - he faced an arduous
rehab.
Borowiec wore two different braces, did all kinds of exercises,
and it was six months before he could even throw. He got through
the tough times with his faith, the support of his parents, family
and friends, and the hope that he'd be back for this season.
"Mike was a hard worker before the injury," Worcester State coach
Dirk Baker said. "I would describe the work he's
done since and with his rehab pro-like."
Baker also praised Borowiec's work in the classroom.
Borowiec (1-1, 2.70) has made two more starts since facing
Amherst. He was the tough-luck loser in a five-inning (two earned
runs allowed) performance against nationally ranked St. Thomas.
Borowiec, of Spencer, picked up his first win of the year last
weekend against Mass. Maritime.
"I feel good," Borowiec said, "confident, strong. I'm still coming
back, but I'm getting better every day."
Borowiec, who went 4-2 with a 4.62 ERA in 2007, missed out on the
Lancers' run to the NCAA Tournament last year. WSC won 24 games,
the MASCAC Tournament and defeated St. Joseph's (Maine) in the
NCAAs.
Borowiec was around the team some, but in addition to school,
worked a part-time job and had all those hours of physical therapy
to endure. It was hard to be away, but it was hard to be around,
too.
This spring was a happy time for everyone.
"Our team is such a welcoming group," Borowiec said. "We have
great chemistry, and once we start clicking, we're going to go on a
run. I'm glad to be back with them and I'm happy to be playing
baseball."
Borowiec is scheduled to start Game 2 of the Lancers' doubleheader
Saturday against MASCAC favorite Westfield State.
"I think he's a great leader," Baker said. "All of his hard work
shows that not only did he want to come back, he wanted to come
back better."