By Katie Zigelman, News Staff
Senior Brandon McNelis pitched a three-hit shutout last Sunday for the win against Hofstra University. He walked one batter and struck out seven, notching his first complete game and second career win. His performance earned him Huntington News Player of the Week honors.
“He pitches better every time he is out on the mound and last time was his best yet,” head coach Neil McPhee said. “[McNelis] pitched an extraordinary game.”
McNelis’ gem sealed the sweep for the Huskies, who took all three wins from Hofstra.
“It was a great team win,” McNelis said “The defense was unbelievable behind us. I just had to throw strikes and they took care of the rest.”
McNelis redshirted his first year and was out his second year after having reconstructive elbow surgery. He pitched 15 and 2/3 innings in the 2009 season and played more last season. He had five starts and three relief appearances in the 2010 season. He struck out 23 batters in his 28 and 2/3 innings of play.
“As a senior who has struggled with injuries since he began, we are pleased he is healthy,” McPhee said. “He is able to be a part of the rotation and help us out.”
This season, McNelis has started seven games and made relief appearances in seven games. He has pitched 40.1 innings and made 40 strikeouts. He has been working on getting into the zone and throwing strikes throughout the season.
McNelis said his main goal for his final season is to make it into the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) conference tournament.
“Once you get into the tournament who knows what will happen,” McNelis said. “The team has gotten a lot better – we’re coming together now. The offense is hitting the ball all over the place, defense is stronger and the pitching is stronger also.”
McNelis said he has been playing baseball since he could walk. He played a variety of sports growing up but mostly stuck to baseball and basketball.
“When it comes to sports, I got around,” McNelis said. “I always had a ball in my hand. My parents and my uncle, who also played Northeastern baseball, encouraged me.”
McNelis’ uncle, Steven Ganung, played at NU in 1978 and hit .257 while knocking in seven runs and stealing five bases.
McNelis said that this definitely had some influence in his choice to attend Northeastern.
“He told me what a great school Northeastern is and what it did for him,” McNelis said.
He said one of the highlights from his baseball career at Northeastern was the Towson University series back in 2009. The Huskies won two out of the three games and hit a total of ten homeruns.
“It was a great series and it put us in the CAA tournament,” McNelis said.
Before Northeastern, McNelis played three years of varsity baseball at John Jay High School in Goldens Bridge, N.Y. In his senior year, he was captain, was named the league pitcher of the year and named the All-League and section 1 Belmont comeback player of the year. He was also named to the All-Section team and was voted team MVP.
McNelis is studying management and entrepreneurship. He has worked with the Boston Bruins for the past two seasons in a marketing job and would like to work in sports communications or public relations after graduation.
