It may be a new haircut, but it’s the same old Donny Erdall the Winona State University baseball team has seen the past four years.
Losing a bet while watching a Minnesota Twins game, Erdall lived up to his end and gave himself a new “do”, making him look like he’s in the NHL playoffs, rather than contending for a top spot in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference standings.
“I grew up playing hockey for (Bloomington) Jefferson, so I’m used to having hair like this,” Erdall said.
Players and coaches weren’t shy about making fun of Erdall’s hair, but WSU coach Kyle Poock said it’s best to keep it hidden.
“I just told him to keep his hat on as much as possible,” Poock said.
After a complete-game, one-run, five-hit gem, Erdall showed off his new locks to a few of the Warriors fans, telling them it was a “skullet” not a mullet.
The other reason for the new look? Supposedly, Erdall hasn’t been pitching well.
“I haven’t been throwing the ball too good as of late,” Erdall said. “I needed to change.”
Whatever it was, it worked for him last Wednesday in a game that he was in complete control of from start to finish.
One of the concerns pitchers had all season for WSU was walks, but Erdall had a near clean sheet in that category, only walking one Golden Bear and striking out six.
If Erdall said he hasn’t pitched that well this season, it will be scary to see what he could do the rest of the season if he gets his game going.
Erdall, who has the NSIC’s third-best ERA (2.31), said a change in attitude has been the difference this year.
“On days I was pitching, nobody would want to talk to me,” Erdall said. “I would always have my grumpy face on, but after my game I was back to the same Donny.”
Erdall credits playing for the La Crosse Loggers the past two summers for his easy-going ways this year. Having a schedule similar to that in the pros can burn one out if they don’t learn to enjoy the game.
“We would play six days a week over the entire summer, so you have to have fun, otherwise you will be burned out from the game,” Erdall said. “Being with the guys, you learn how to have fun and keep things easy-going.”
Erdall has been pitching well ever since a rough outing against Wayne State (Neb.). He gave up seven runs — four earned — in only four innings.
“Every game I have pitched besides that one we have been in position to win games,” Erdall said.
The right-hander is quick to praise his teammates behind him, especially against CSP last Wednesday.
“I haven’t had to do much,” Erdall said. “Guys behind me have had my back all year.”
Being part of a rotation with senior Bryan Ruff and sophomore Ross Hellenbrand, Erdall said WSU will be tough to beat in the postseason.
“We’re kind of a three headed monster,” Erdall said. “If we have to play three games in the conference tournament like we did last year, we have the pitching to be a dangerous team again.”
Similar to most upperclassmen on the team, Erdall’s favorite memory came from last season’s NSIC tournament when the Warriors defeated WSC in Nebraska.
“That was awesome,” Erdall said. “Being able to celebrate on their field was sweet.”
With WSC in control of the regular season, it’s likely it will host the NSIC tournament, meaning WSU might have to win it all again in order to make it to regionals.
How sweet would it be to win conference again?
“If you can’t win it at home, you might as well win it there,” Erdall said. “It seems like we have always had to do that since I have been here.”
If Erdall’s collegiate career does end after the NSIC tournament, it will not tarnish the four memorable years he has had at WSU, being a staple of success for the Warriors.
WSU split again in NSIC play, this time against CSP.
The Warriors won Game 1 6-1 behind Erdall, but fell 6-5 in Game 2.
WSU got its bats going against UM-Crookston, sweeping the Golden Eagles in a four-game series 17-1, 15-2, 14-4, 19-0.
The Warriors, whose offense was called a disappointment by assistant coach Seth Wing last week, responded by scoring 65 runs in the sweep.
“Our batting average has been good all season,” Poock said. “We had a problem stringing hits together for most of the season but were able to get some big innings this week.”
Poock didn’t give WSU’s hitting all the credit for its offensive explosion.
“Crookston helped us out a bit by misplaying some balls,” Poock said.
Ruff and Erdall put together near flawless performances. Ruff pitched three innings, giving up two hits and no runs, while Erdall pitched three inings, giving up one hit and no runs.
With their wins, Ruff and Erdall each have four wins and lead WSU in that category.
WSU came into last weekend fifth in the NSIC and will most likely stay there heading into its series against WSC.
“Ruff and Donny (Erdall) pitched a little this weekend, so we can save their arms this week against Wayne,” Poock said.
The Warriors play WSC today in a series that is huge for WSU, which needs to finish in the top six in the NSIC in order to qualify for the conference tournament.