Spring Break
Pitcher returns to play after weathering injury
MICHAEL FITZPATRICK
Issue date: 4/8/09 Section: Sports
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He wanted to prove he was better than his 5.61 ERA in 2007. But he never got the chance.
His 2008 season was cut short due to a partial tear in the posterior band in his elbow, an injury he called "really, really painful."
"It was tough," Leaver said of not being able to play. "I never had to have surgery, but I just did a lot of physical therapy with our trainer, Mike Dillon. He did wonders for me. He took care of me every day and put me on a good workout plan and a good throwing plan, and I was able to strengthen it back out and protect it."
After missing the entire SEC season and nearly the entire postseason, Leaver returned to pitch a third of an inning against Fresno State in the College World Series, an experience he will never forget.
"I couldn't have asked for anything better," he said. "After we went to the College World Series in 2006 [pitcher] Trevor [Holder] was the only member of our freshman class that year to throw out in Omaha. To be able to come back in '08 and be able to throw out there on the biggest stage in college baseball, it was a great feeling."
This season, Leaver has anchored the mid-week rotation for the No. 5 Diamond Dogs, posting a 3-0 record and a 5.40 ERA and will start in the first game of Georgia's doubleheader with Winthrop today, beginning at 3 p.m.
Georgia has won all but one mid-week game this season, and Leaver didn't pitch as Georgia head coach David Perno was saving him for a game that eventually was rained out.
"I was kicking myself after that," Perno said. "To have his experience in mid-week games is very much a luxury, and he's doing a great job for us right now."
Leaver's dedication to the team and the sport has not been lost on his teammates, who truly appreciate the commodity Leaver provides.
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