Moffat’s rise from walk-on to stand out

Enjoying success as both a starter and reliever

No letters, no offers. Donovan Moffat, a 2016 graduate of McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, only had plans to attend St. Bonaventure University as a student. Baseball wasn’t clearly in the cards when he arrived to campus two years ago.
Until the hopeful Moffat received an email that he will never forget.
“I came to St. Bonaventure just looking to have an opportunity in the journalism program,” said Moffat. “The baseball team was just an extra thing.”
“I tried walking on, and I was fortunate enough to get email back after my tryout to comeback for the fall. And I was even more fortunate to have the coaches keep me on the team after the fall,” he said.
And the walk-on’s hard work has more than paid off. As a freshman, Moffat set the program appearance record with 28, had a 3.96 earned run average and picked three wins and only one loss, picking up four saves.
But more impressively, Moffat earned a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team. Moffat described his early successes as both spectacular and unexpected.
“It was special to me because I was able to accomplish so much,” said Moffat. “I stepped into a role that, really, I didn’t expect to be in. It was an experience that will stick with me for the rest of my life.”
Moffat continued his success as a sophomore, too. Last season, Moffat made 16 appearances, a 4.74 earned run average and boasted a 2-2 record, picking up one save.
But this season, as a junior, Moffat is playing a much larger role than in years past.
After solely being used as a relief pitcher during his first two seasons as a Bonnie, Moffat is now being called on as a reliever and a starter.
While playing the role as both a reliever and a starter can present challenges for a pitcher, Moffat said he has no preference. He explained that he is open to any challenge on the mound.
“I’m used as both a reliever and a starter,” said Moffat. “I’m used a late reliever, closer and starter. What the opportunity is, or whatever position we’re in as a team, I am open to the task. Whether that’s starting a game, closing a game or getting two or three innings in the middle of a game. Whatever needs to be done, I am open to any opportunity that he [Coach Larry Sudbrook], gives me.”
Being used as both a starting pitcher and relief pitcher require different mindsets dependent on the situation. Moffat explained situational-dependant mindsets that he has.
“At the beginning of the game, when I’m starting, it’s my game. It’s almost like a fresh start. I can relax, it’s zero to zero, nobody’s been on and nobody’s scored. It’s me and the catcher. I just go at it 100 percent. When I am closing a game, I am coming in during the middle of an inning, or at the end of an inning. ‘It’s okay I’ve got to close this game out, and get the necessary outs,’” he said.
In his third season in the brown and white, Moffat is working on setting career numbers. Currently, the left-hander leads the Bonnies in earned run average with a 2.45, strikeouts with 42, appearances with 17, innings with 47.2, three saves and is tied for the team lead in wins with three.
In a 1-0 win against Binghamton on Tuesday, Moffat tossed a career-high seven shutout innings. Moffat, who came on in relief, allowed three hits, no walks and threw 59 strikes in 79 pitches.
However, Moffat’s biggest goal for the rest of the season doesn’t involve personal accomplishments. He has his sights on making the Atlantic 10 tournament.
While Moffat said the team isn’t pleased with its 11-24 record at this point of the season, he and his team still have hopes of achieving its goal.
“We’re struggling as of late. As a team, we really don’t like where we’re at,” said Moffat. “We’re trying really hard to get to the A-10 tournament. I know that we’re not super far out of it right now. We’ve got to get some sweeps in the conference. We’re just looking to finish the year strong, and hopefully make it to the A-10 tournament.”