HARWICH, Mass. – Just moments after his team’s run in the NCAA Division III New England baseball regional ended, St. Joseph’s Coach Will Sanborn learned his former left-hander, Charlie Furbush, was called up to the major leagues.
Furbush, a South Portland native, was promoted by the Detroit Tigers and could make his big-league debut soon.
“I think that’s great,” said Sanborn. “He’s worked hard, stuck with it through the surgery, rehab. He’s got that quiet confidence and knows he can play at that level.”
Furbush pitched for the Monks in the NCAA regionals five years ago this week.
Sanborn recruited Furbush to St. Joseph’s when he was overlooked by Division I schools. He played three seasons with the Monks before transferring to LSU for his senior year.
As a starter this season for Triple-A Toledo, Furbush is 4-3 in eight starts with a 2.91 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 46 1/3 innings.
The Tigers placed Brad Thomas on the 15-day disabled list with elbow inflammation and recalled Furbush on Saturday morning.
“That’s exciting news,” said Monks right fielder Todd Keneborus. “That’ll lift us up a little.”
John Swasey, a junior from South Berwick, played against Furbush in high school.
“I just heard. That’s awesome,” said Swasey.
“I remember everyone noticed him and he was still one of the better pitchers. But you didn’t come away saying ‘We just faced Charlie Furbush.’“
On the Monks’ Florida trip earlier this season, they met up with Furbush and could see just how far he has come.
“He was a completely different person when I saw him at spring training,” Swasey said. “It was amazing.”
Furbush was drafted in the fourth round of the 2007 draft.
Last season he played for three minor league teams in Detroit’s system: Class-A Lakeland, Double-A Erie and Toledo.
CENTER FIELDER Nate Martin, a former Greely standout, led the Monks with a .385 average (5 for 13) in the regional. Dan Achorn hit .313 with a pair of doubles.
The Monks hit .248, while opponents hit .294. St. Joseph’s had a team ERA of 3.32.
Staff Writer Jenn Menendez can be contacted at 791-6426 or at:
jmenendez@pressherald.com
Twitter: JennMenendez
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