Hart’s MLB Debut A Success

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Former Bobcat pitcher Donnie Hart was called up by the Baltimore Orioles on Friday and made his Major League debut against the Tampa Rays on Sunday. He is the 14th former Texas State baseball player to make an MLB appearance, joining the likes of three-time All-Star Paul Goldschmidt, Scott Linebrink, Marcus Thames, Texas State’s current pitching coach and recruiting coordinator Jeremy Fikac and others.

While the game may have been a loss for the Orioles, the day was a win for Hart. The 25-year-old from Katy entered in the bottom of the sixth inning to record the first two outs of the frame. After forcing a pop up, Hart caught Kevin Kiermaier looking for his first career strikeout, drawing approval from the Orioles crowd on hand in Florida.

His twin sister and a contingent of more than 20 others were on hand to witness the emotional moment. Fans can see Hart in his debut here: http://m.mlb.com/video/v937243783

“Darren [O’Day] mentioned something to me earlier in the week about how you aren’t going to feel too much except your mechanics,” Hart told MLB.com. “I kind of told myself, ‘Just stay with your mechanics.’ Once I got a nice popout, it was a nice breath of fresh air. [I said to myself,] ‘Now, I got to get back to work.’”

In 2013, Hart’s final season at Texas State, he set a school record for appearances in a season with 41. He compiled an ERA of just 2.13 with 34 strikeouts and allowed just a .209 opponent batting average, leading the team in ERA and opponent batting average in 42.1 innings of work. He only gave up two extra-base hits all season, two doubles. With his 41 appearances that year, Hart is top 10 in Texas State history in career appearances with 60.

His final Texas State season, Hart did not give up a single run until his 11th appearance of the year and did not allow an earned run until his 26th appearance. He started his first MLB streak on Sunday.

— TEXAS STATE BOBCATS —