New Mallards pitcher Eryk McConnell will soon celebrate a special anniversary.

“I had Tommy John surgery May 25, 2004,” said McConnell. “I don’t throw as hard as I did before, but I’m definitely alot smarter.”

McConnell said the most difficult part of the ordeal was sitting around.

“You have to completely shut down for six months. Man, it was hard just watching games during that time (at Western Carolina).”

McConnell, a biological sciences major, may be able to perform the surgery one day. “I’ve thought about medical school,” said McConnell. “But, that’s alot more school. We’ll see.”

Since the surgery, McConnell has transferred to North Carolina State and has developed into one of the top pitchers for the Wolfpack.

He’s hoping to become one of the top pitchers in the Northwoods League this summer.

He’s also anxious to get to Wisconsin. He has three N.C. State teammates (Matt Mangini, Ramon Corona and Jonathan Diaz) that spent last summer in the Northwoods League with the Thunder Bay Border Cats.

“I’ve heard great things about Madison. They (Mangini, Corona and Diaz) all told me the atmosphere is great.”