Marshfield junior strives to be pitch perfect for softball squad
MARSHFIELD - A key component on the Marshfield High School softball team since her freshman year, Megan Donahue constantly works to improve her game.
A two-time second all-Wisconsin Valley Conference pitcher, Donahue, now a junior, has improved on her accuracy when in the circle.
"When Megan was younger, she just threw hard," Marshfield coach Dan Costa said. "She's been clocked at 60 miles per hour, and she used to rely on power. Now she is learning how to pitch, not just throw hard. Her control has improved greatly.
"She's a good leader, a real competitor and is great at working with the younger girls in teaching them about softball."
In her freshman year, she led the Valley in strikeouts with 88 and was second in the league with 100 as a sophomore.
The Tigers are currently 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the WVC.
Donahue recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about the season so far, how swimming helped her overcome a rare condition as a child, and her desire to join the Marines, among other topics:
To what do you credit the on-the-field success of the team so far this season? Our hitting has really picked up and our defense is solid. Everyone is positive and we all have the same goals.
You're pitching as strong as ever; how have you improved since your freshman year? My accuracy is better and I attribute that to my pitching coach Missy Beseres. I work with her in the offseason. She's helped me improve my mechanics and control my pitches better.
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You've hit four home runs in five games. Is that something you're proud of or don't you think about it? I don't really go up to bat thinking I'm going to hit a home run. Anything I can do to help the team, is what I'm most proud of.
How much softball do you play in the offseason? Last summer I played on the Midwest Speed out of Minnesota. We went to tournaments in California, Georgia, Colorado, Missouri, Illinois and Minnesota. In the fall I played with the Wisconsin Bandits out of Horicon. You play so much more on the tournament teams that it helps with my game. I caught last summer and that helped me learn how to call a game.
How does swimming help you with softball? Actually I had to swim when I was younger, because I couldn't run or jump for three years. I had a condition called Legg-Calves-Perthes disease. The blood flow to the the ball joint in my hip was blocked temporarily. I swam because that was the only thing I could do without pain. It was caught early enough so I was able to recover. I still swim because I enjoy it and it helps me stay balanced and strong. It also helps loosen me up and helps me to not overuse my muscles.
What is your biggest fear? Spiders and public speaking. Spiders creep me out and I don't like getting in front of people to talk or present something.
Have you had much contact with college coaches yet? I've had some schools reach out, but I don't have any offers. Some of the schools that have shown interests are Iowa State, Northwestern, Bethel, the University of Minnesota and UConn. It's kind of fun talking to them, but it's stressful too.
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you. I've always wanted to be in the military since I was 10. I'm not sure if that will happen now, but if I did enlist, I'd go into the Marines.
Mark Massoglia: 715-424-7309 or mark.massoglia@gannettwisconsin.com; on Twitter @markmazzy.
MEGAN DONAHUE
School: Marshfield High School
Sports: Swimming and softball
Family: Dad, John; mom, Krista, brothers, Cody and Jack; sister, Courtney
Favorite classes: Chemistry and anatomy
Favorite color: Orange
Favorite food: Bananas
Favorite TV show: "NCIS: Los Angeles" and "Hawaii 5-0"
Favorite athletes: Mike Trout and Haylie McCleney
Android or iPhone: iPhone
Breakfast, lunch or dinner: Breakfast
Spring, summer, fall or winter: Summer
Pulp or no pulp in your orange juice: No pulp