McDonough signs with Brockton Rox, becomes Wheaton's sixth professional

May 27, 2008

NORTON, MA- Recent Wheaton College graduate Chris McDonough (Weymouth, MA/Weymouth) agreed to terms with the Brockton Rox of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, as the lefthanded pitcher is the fifth Lyon since 2006 and sixth Wheaton player overall to sign a professional contract.

McDonough joins former teammate Jamie Baker '06 on the Rox pitching staff. McDonough is the fifth Lyon to play in the Can-Am League, as Mark Brown '06, Chris Martin '06 and Adam Laplante '07 dotted rosters over the last two years. Baker, who is in his first year in Brockton after playing for the now defunct North Shore Spirit, spent part of spring training in 2007 as a San Diego Padres signee. Wheaton's most notable professional is outfielder Chris Denorfia '02, who is playing in the Oakland Athletics organization. Denorfia was taken by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2002 amateur draft.

After being signed Sunday, McDonough took the ball on Monday and recorded a victory over the Sussex Skyhawks. Surrendering three earned runs, he allowed five hits while fanning a pair of batters in five innings. A two-time New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA) all-region selection and three-time New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) all-league first teamer, McDonough was voted NEWMAC Pitcher of the Year as a junior.

As a senior, McDonough posted a 5-3 record with a 2.47 earned run average. In 10 starts, he fired a program-high-tying two shutouts while striking out 55 batters and issuing just 11 walks in 65.2 innings. Opposing batters hit .284 off of him. McDonough finished second in the league in ERA and strikeouts, third in innings pitched and tied for third in wins. The lefty helped the Lyons match the program's third-highest victory total, going 34-10 while qualifying for their eighth NCAA Tournament in nine seasons. Wheaton also won its ninth league tournament title in the NEWMAC's 10-year history.

McDonough's stellar career included seeing him become the program's all-time strikeouts leader. He also leaves the school as its career leader in complete games while finishing second in innings pitched, tied for second in shutouts, third in wins and fourth in ERA. During McDonough's four-year career, the Lyons posted an overall record of 133-53-1 (.711) and conference mark of 38-10 (.792). He was a member of three NCAA Tournament teams while contributing to a trio of league tournament titles and three regular season crowns.

The Can-Am League, an eight-team independent league with members in three states and two Canadian provinces, dates back to 1936. It began its third installment on October 6, 2004, when the league was reborn with the Rox, Spirit, Bangor Lumberjacks, Elmira Pioneers, Les Capitales de Quebec, New Haven County Cutters, New Jersey Jackals and Worcester Tornadoes as charter members.

In 2006, Elmira and the 2005 road team, Grays, were replaced with a pair of newcomers in the Skyhawks and Nashua Pride. The following year the league expanded to 10 teams with the additions of the Atlantic City Surf and the rebirth of the road team Grays. After the 2007 season, the Cutters and Spirit ceased operation. The Ottawa Rapidz, who were an original member from 1936-39, replaced the Grays.

Brockton continues a five-game homestand at Campanelli Stadium tonight against Sussex. The Rox are currently in first place with a 4-1 mark, while the Skyhawks are tied with Ottawa for seventh.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 8/25/08.
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