Marshall University Athletics
MCGILL: Rodriguez overcomes adversity, makes dreams come true at Marshall
5/20/2019 10:21:00 PM | Baseball, Word on the Herd
Senior outfielder has sights set on baseball future, pharmacy school
By Chuck McGill
HerdZone.com
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Before Erik Rodriguez played his final series in a Marshall uniform, his coach, Jeff Waggoner, talked about the contributions the senior made to the school's baseball team.
"He's the toughest kid in our program," Waggoner said.
Rodriguez's journey to this week's Conference USA tournament in Biloxi, Mississippi, backs up that claim. The native of Puerto Rico arrived in the United States four years ago to start a baseball career at the junior college level. He didn't speak English. He tried to acclimate to a new country, receive an education and pursue a Division I opportunity.
Meanwhile, Erik's father battled brain cancer. After Hurricane Maria – a Category 5 storm – devastated Puerto Rico in September of 2017, Erik's father – also named Erik – moved to Florida to receive treatment.
"All of the doctors left the island," said Rodriguez, who learned English after enrolling in junior college. "It was a difficult moment. There was no electricity, no water, no food. There was barely any food at all. No electricity for six months to a year."
Rodriguez's father, who resides in Avon Park, Florida, is better now, and the tumor in his brain has "disappeared," according to Rodriguez. But that wasn't the family's only brush with adversity. In November, the younger Rodriguez's vision became blurry and he, too, went to see a doctor. It was determined he had a blood clot in his left eye.
"They didn't know why because these cases you see in older people," said the 22-year-old outfielder. "I got a shot in the eye – directly to the eye."
The health scare put Rodriguez's season in jeopardy. Once Rodriguez returned to the field, however, he put together his finest season yet. Entering this Wednesday's Conference USA tournament first round game against third-seeded Louisiana Tech, Rodriguez is hitting .314 in 223 at-bats. He has one home run and 33 RBIs, and a team-best 23 stolen bases. This season, Rodriguez has a school record eight triples.
On Saturday afternoon, in the Herd's regular season finale, it was Rodriguez who delivered the walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth of Marshall's sweep of visiting Rice. It was Rodriguez's final at-bat in Huntington, and he helped the Herd to its first sweep of the Owls.
Marshall entered the three-game series clawing for a spot in the eight-team conference tournament, but with the help of Rodriguez, the Herd climbed to the No. 6 seed after being picked to finish 11th of 12Â teams in the preseason poll.
"He came here as a junior college kid who had all the tools," Waggoner said. "He struggled last year and made some adjustments. He's had an unbelievable year.
"He's faced some adversity … but he shows up every day at practice with a sense of urgency. He works as hard as he can. You never hear him complaining, and he plays every day like it's his last."
That approach is part of Rodriguez's fabric. He knew he wanted to leave his home island for the United States to pursue a baseball career and receive his education. Once his baseball playing days are complete, Rodriguez has his sights set on pharmacy school.
"I got the chance to get my degree," he said. "I still have two classes in the summer. But baseball … last year, for me, was not a great year. This year I came with a different mindset, made some adjustments physically and mentally, and it has been a good season for me."
Rodriguez batted .234 a year ago, so he has raised his average by 80 points. He stole only seven bases last season, so he has developed his baserunning skills in his final collegiate season. He has a record in hand, and soon will clutch a degree with the other.
"Getting the chance at Marshall means everything to me," he said. "We don't have that many opportunities in Puerto Rico, getting out of a little island. Having the opportunity to go to college, it means a lot. I wouldn't change a thing."
Chuck McGill is the Assistant Athletic Director for Fan/Donor Engagement and Communications at Marshall University and a seven-time winner of the National Sports Media Association West Virginia Sportswriter of the Year award. In addition to HerdZone.com's Word on the Herd, McGill is the editor of Thundering Herd Illustrated, Marshall's official athletics publication. Follow him on Twitter (@chuckmcgill) and Instagram (wordontheherd).
