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McCowat sets strikeout record, lands in hospital
Dominion High School senior Geoff McCowat was floating on air following his record-setting pitching performance in a March 18 baseball game.McCowat struck out 20 of a possible 21 batters against Gar-Field in his first start of the season. His 20 strikeouts is a state record for a seven-inning game and is currently being validated for the Virginia High School League record book.
“I realized this is my senior year and I need to step it up,” said McCowat, who also belted two home runs and drove in five runs in the 7-0 victory. “I want to play in college. I was in the zone. I went after every batter and threw strikes.”
Unfortunately, it didn't take long for McCowat to be grounded.
McCowat, who had worn a new pair of dress shoes to the funeral of a friend's dad the day before the game, developed blisters on his feet. His feet turned red and swelled during a college visit in Boston the day after the game.
His physician gave him a shot with a double dose of antibiotics the next day, but it failed to control the infection.
On the morning of March 21, just three days after his magical diamond effort, McCowat was admitted to the emergency room at Inova Loudoun Hospital in Lansdowne.
McCowat was diagnosed with cellulitis -- a potentially serious bacterial infection of the skin that, left untreated, can rapidly turn into a life-threatening condition.
He received antibiotics through an IV for three days before being released March 24. It was determined the bacteria entered through the blisters on his feet.
“It was pretty painful,” McCowat said. “It was hard to walk.”
Not only did McCowat spend the final five days of his spring break in discomfort, he was not cleared to play baseball last week.
McCowat missed three games, including the Dulles District opener versus Freedom that he was scheduled to start.
“I was really hoping to pitch in the district opener,” McCowat said.
McCowat, also the Titans' quarterback last fall, is no stranger to injury. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right leg and missed his sophomore season.
The determined right-handed pitcher and hitter bounced back strong in his junior season – batting .441 to earn All-Dulles District second team honors.
McCowat says he feels “much better now” and has been cleared to resume playing. He's looking forward to following up his milestone feat with more “good outings” as the season progresses.
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