Q&A with Conner McMahon

Published on February 7, 2012 under Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL)
Martha's Vineyard Sharks News Release


Conner McMahon is a left-handed pitcher from Merrimack College who lives in Westfield MA. Conner pitched last year in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League for the Torrington Titans and pitched the first no-hitter in the league's young history. We asked Conner a number of questions regarding the upcoming college and summer baseball seasons.

It is unusual that you lead the team at Merrimack College in innings pitched, logging a team-high 57.2 innings as a freshman last year. Did you expect that you would pitch that many innings in your first year?

I definitely can't say I expected to lead the team in innings last year as a freshman, but I was fortunate enough to earn a rotation spot to start the year and was able to gain some valuable experience early in my college career. I was able to throw against some of the best Division 2 teams in the country and really see firsthand what it takes to win at the college level.

You kicked off your collegiate career in spectacular fashion with an eight-inning shutout performance against Dominican College, which included five strikeouts while allowing just three hits and one walk. How did you feel after that first start?

I couldn't have imagined a better way to start off my career at Merrimack. To be honest the first feeling I got after the game was a sense of relief. I was as nervous as I've ever been before a start that day, but once I got through the first inning and settled in it just felt like any other ball game.

You were voted as "Northeast-10 Rookie of the Week" as a result of that first start. Did you think that this was easier than anticipated?

It was nice to be recognized by the NE-10 Conference with the accolade. It certainly came as a surprise when I received the news from my coach that I had been received Rookie of the Week Honors.

Last year Merrimack College had a record of 14 -28, do you expect that with you and two returning starters who all pitched 40 plus innings last season that the team will do much better in 2012?

My coaches and all my teammates, including myself, are extremely excited for the 2012 season. We have returned some talent and our coaching staff has done a tremendous job in bringing in some new faces that will have an immediate impact on our teams' performance. I'm confident that we will improve this season.

As a lefty you were second on the team with 49 Ks in 57.2 innings. Give me a breakdown of your pitches...primary pitch and secondary pitch(s).

It all starts with being able to establish my fastball early in a game. My ball has natural movement away from right handed hitters. I really worked hard last summer on my change-up and it has become a pitch I'm very comfortable with and one I can use effectively. I also throw a sweeping breaking ball, more of a slurve than a straight 12-6 curveball.

Do you rely more on location, movement or both.

I think any pitcher will tell you and the same goes for me, that when you locate and mix speeds you're going to be successful. Movement on my fastball is big for me as well because I'm not the type of guy lighting up a radar gun in the 90's. I can get up into the mid 80's, but I need movement and location to be effective.

What made you decide on Merrimack College?

Merrimack is a very small, close knit community. Everybody knows everybody on campus and you're able to build some strong bonds with not only your teammates, but your peers as well. The small school atmosphere, academics, and the chance to play in a very good D2 baseball league made my choice relatively easy.

Last season pitching for the Torrington Titans in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League for the current coach of the Martha's Vineyard Sharks, Mike O'Malley, who was the General Manager at that time, you pitched the first ever no-hitter in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League with a 1-0 win over the Seacoast Mavericks. You struck out ten, allowing no walks. A lefty with control is a rare commodity! Have you always had good control in high school and college?

I've always been able to pump the zone from a very young age. Throwing strikes is the most important thing a pitcher has to do so I really believe my ability to locate and show good control is a big reason why I'm where I'm at this point in my baseball career.

Looking at your record with the Titans, you only had one bad game in late June albeit against the Sharks where you gave up 8 runs in 3.1 inning. Even with that one bad game your ERA was 3.00. You had your revenge against the Sharks on August 2nd in the heat of the pennant race throwing 8 innings, allowing 1 run and 4 hits, which basically ended the Sharks chances for reaching the championship round. What made you switch teams?

I had a great experience last summer in Torrington playing for the Titans. The people in the city were very supportive, and definitely knew their baseball. The main reason I'm switching teams is simply to experience a summer of baseball in a different setting. You only get 3 years to play Summer Collegiate baseball and I want to make the most of them. The opportunity to play for the Sharks on the Vineyard was a no brainer.

How come you did not pitch in the playoffs for the Titans last season?

Well I had pitched a couple days prior to the championship series in the game that clinched our birth to the championship, which happened to be against the Sharks, so it felt very much like a playoff game. It just didn't line up well for me to be on schedule to pitch in the playoffs.

What is your goal pitching for the Sharks this upcoming summer?

My goal for this coming summer is to continue to grow mentally as a pitcher and continue getting physically stronger, as well as help the Sharks have a successful year and win a title.

Are you ready for the charter boat rides back to the Vineyard at 1:00 and 2:00 AM in the moonlight?

Can't wait! I experienced the traveling required in the FCBL last summer and I don't mind it. I am just looking forward to getting on the field in Martha's Vineyard.

Jerry Murphy

Martha's Vineyard Sharks

General Manager

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Futures Collegiate Baseball League Stories from February 7, 2012


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