Baseball | 10/14/2022 11:23:00 AM
Wichita State catcher Mauricio Millan struck out and grounded out to strand a runner at third in a scrimmage this fall at Eck Stadium.
That performance is not a disaster. When you're new to the team, battling for the attention of coaches and 12 hours from home in El Paso, it can wear on a person.
"I was frustrated at myself," he said. "I was a little down."
Then a text popped up on his phone. Roommate Kyte McDonald, who plays center field, reminded him how baseball challenges hitters mentally. The best approach is to move on and come to practice with a good attitude the next day.
"He told me 'Look man, it's baseball,'" Millan said. "It really helped me get my mind off it and just go out and play. Refresh and get back at it. He is a really good teammate."
McDonald, from San Antonio, spent two seasons at Mississippi State and remembers the grind of a tough practice in a new place while a long way from home.
"Whenever I would have a bad day and somebody would reach out, it meant a lot to me," he said. "I was hoping I could do something to cheer him up. Baseball is a hard game."
Wichita State starts its
five-game Shocker Fall World Series at 7 p.m. Friday at Eck Stadium.
McDonald is one of 24 newcomers on the Wichita State roster and his work this fall impresses coaches on the field, around the locker room and in the Wednesday meetings where the Shockers discuss strategy and the mental part of the game in small groups.
His positive attitude and willingness to help teammates is where coaches start when they discuss McDonald's two months at Eck Stadium.
"He always has something good to offer," coach
Eric Wedge said. "He shows up and brings it – on the basepaths, in centerfield, at home plate, in the dugout, in the clubhouse, in team meetings."
McDonald is a transfer from Alvin (Texas) Community College, where he hit .326 with seven home runs and 17 steals in 50 games last spring. McDonald redshirted in 2020 at Mississippi State. In 2021, he played in 12 games and hit .389 with four doubles.
The Shockers use his speed – McDonald ran the 100-meter dash in high school – in center and as a leadoff hitter.
"He does a really nice job defensively in center field," Wedge said. "He puts up a good at-bat. Very competitive."
McDonald considers the role of good teammate an important one and one he studies.
"I think I have the ability to help people," he said. "I've had a lot of great teammates that I've learned from and seen how they've interacted with peers and teammates. I've learned a lot from them."
McDonald's unique first name attracts attention. "Kyte" is his father's middle name and the last name of an ancestor. His father's name first name is Touchstone.
"Very interesting," McDonald said. "When you have a name like Touchstone, you take it out on your son, apparently."
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
