Pitcher takes long journey, finds a place he can call home

Mitchell Cavanagh was living a young baseball player’s dream. He was pitching at a Div. I powerhouse, receiving free gear and special treatment from his teachers.

What could be better? Well, Cavanagh realized early on he needed something different.

He started to receive attention from schools because of his performance with Sports Zone, a baseball academy in East Syracuse. The native of nearby Oneida was in shock.

“When I first started to receive letters,” Cavanagh said “I couldn’t believe it.”

St. John’s in Queens is where he ultimately decided to go. A program that is among the top 10 in national tournament appearances with 35. During his one year with the program, the Red Storm won the Big East and reached the Stillwater Regional Finals of the NCAA Tournament.

Cavanagh made appearances in only six games, pitching 4.2 innings.

“While at St. John’s I was kinda along for the ride,” Cavanagh said. “I wanted to be a part of it.”

The righty believed he was better than the pitcher his coaches saw. Big city life was another aspect that made Queens a not-so-perfect fit. It is what led to the then-19 year old making a major decision.

“I just wanted to get away,” Cavanagh said.

He traveled over 2,000 miles away from Queens to Utah. He transferred to Salt Lake Community College, a place where he knew no one.

Cavanagh jokes “I always liked the west.”

The west is where Cavanagh focused on himself. He was not thinking about the possibility of going to another Div. I school and, as is it turned out, he did not have many schools knocking.

After a year out in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, Cavanagh came back home to Central New York. He was a talented young arm with no place to throw, so the then-20 year old focused on strength and conditioning in the weight room.

“I really got in the gym and started really learning about my body,” Cavanagh said.

He was 240 pounds at St. John’s and 180 pounds at Salt Lake. Cavanagh had struggled staying in top physical condition, so the summer of 2016 was spent working on getting in shape, researching pitching mechanics and keeping his arm healthy throughout the season.

Cavanagh enrolled at Mohawk Valley Community College in the fall of 2016. But he still had no team.

Oswego State head baseball coach Scott Landers knew Cavanagh before college. The former assistant coach at LeMoyne and teacher at Chittenango saw him play at Oneida as well as with Sports Zone.

“I watched Mitch grow up,” Landers said.

The Lakers skipper says he kinda forgot about Cavanagh when he went to St. John’s. He then got a tip from a former player’s parent who told him about Cavanagh’s situation. Landers that day got in contact with the young pitcher in an attempt to bring him on.

Cavanagh traveled up to the port city in December and it reminded him of his hometown in Oneida County. Having that comfort is something he never felt before at his other college teams. It is what led him to enrolling for the upcoming semester to be eligible to play on this year’s team.

Since arriving, Cavanagh has shown nothing but great work. While also being his coach, Landers is the strength and conditioning coordinator. He doesn’t have to worry too much about his new pitcher when it comes to that type of work.

“When I say something,” Landers said. “He knows what I’m talking about, while some other younger guys, might not know that.”

On the mound. Cavanagh has been the ace so far. He leads the team with 26 innings pitched, and 28 strikeouts. He’s also holding a 1.38 era and a perfect 4–0 record.

“I think the guys know what they’re getting when he’s on the mound,” Landers said.

One of those guys is freshman catcher Lukas Olsson, who has caught all of Cavanagh starts.

Olsson was tabbed as Cavanagh’s partner due his ability to catch his array of pitches that includes an 88 mph fastball, a good slider and developing change up, according to Landers.

Olsson thinks Cavanagh is one of the best pitchers he’s ever caught.

“He just goes out there and he pitches the way he knows,” Olsson said. “Which to me, is better than everybody else.”

The impact Cavanagh has on the Lakers is already starting show. He may not have taken the typical path, but he has found a place.

A place that he loves, and that loves him back.

“I wouldn’t change anything,” Cavanagh said. “I’ve learned from every experience I’ve had.”