As a senior center fielder, St. Laurence’s Danny Donovan maintains a cinematic perspective.
The Wisconsin-Parkside commit can actually survey everything from that spot in the outfield. And he has been able to turn that of point of view into his own advantage as a two-way talent.
“You see everything, every ball, and you have priority out there,” Donovan said. “You see the ball in the air, you call it and you get it. And it’s the same thing at the plate for me.
“It just translates into confidence because you know you are meant to be there.”
It was all right there Monday for Donovan, who tripled in a run and scored the tying run for the Vikings in a suspended 4-4 Catholic League Blue game against Mount Carmel in Burbank.
Moments after Donovan scored on a sacrifice fly by junior right fielder Evan Panther, the game was called with two outs in the bottom of the sixth due to lightning.
Senior catcher Mario Medina drove in a run and senior designated hitter Christian Clark also generated an RBI on a bases-loaded walk for the Caravan (11-7, 3-1).
Donovan stole a potential two-run homer by senior shortstop Joey Ireland with a spectacular catch at the fence to end the fourth for the Vikings (20-1, 4-0), who rallied from a 4-0 deficit in the third.
According to senior first baseman Sean Popp, St. Laurence came to life after that play.
“That was definitely a momentum shifter,” Popp said. “it brought a lot of energy to the dugout.
“He’s a great friend and a great teammate. Any player on the team will tell you, he’s the guy you want to be around.”
Donovan batted ninth in the order last season, hitting .354 with 32 hits, 32 runs and 31 RBs as the Vikings won the Class 3A state championship. Now, he’s batting in the heart of the order at No. 6.
“He’s gotten to be a better overall hitter,” St. Laurence coach Pete Lotus said. “I think he’s realized how good he is. He’s super athletic and a very hard worker in everything that he does.
“We are super confident with the range he has in center field.”
Donovan recognized the trust put in him and has responded in kind. He grew an inch and put on 15 pounds of muscle during a rigorous offseason training program.
His triple Monday underscored that personal transformation.
“I think my hitting style is very unique,” Donovan said. “It’s also a lot different from last year. I was more of a contact guy. I’m expected to produce RBIs now and the coaches put their trust in me.”
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Donovan combines excellent size, range and power with explosive quickness. He motored down the line for the tying run on Panther’s second RBI of the game.
He was called up to the varsity for the state playoffs as a sophomore but didn’t play. His growth has been made possible by personal connections and friendships, easing his transition.
“Everyone here at St. Laurence is close and we all hang out together outside of school,” he said. “We’re together all the time, every weekend, and I think it just contributes to the field.”
Growing up, his uncle was an entry point to baseball along with cousins who pushed him to excel.
“I think I was just born competitive,” he said. “My parents instilled it in me. My cousins were a big part, the way we went head to head in everything since we’re all the same age.”
In Donovan’s two years on the varsity, St. Laurence is a combined 57-6.
“Winning is my favorite part,” Donovan said. “With the run we’ve had, we know we’re getting the best guy every time. You play every day and that’s the beauty.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
