DeShan, Radnor shouldered burden of tough start

The junior, who entered the season as one of Radnor’s top three hurlers, joined the laundry list of injuries in the early going of the Raiders season that contributed to an 0-5 start. By the time DeShan and his doctors had zeroed in on a diagnosis for his ailing shoulder and the limitations it imposed, DeShan figured out a way to deal with the pain while still contributing.

His Radnor teammates underwent a similar collective change, transforming a painful start into a streak of 13 wins in 18 games that has landed the Raiders in the PIAA tournament.

The District One Class AAA champ opens states Monday afternoon, entertaining District 3 fourth-place team Bishop McDevitt (15-9) at Widener at 4.

DeShan’s season could’ve been over when it had barely begun. He was on the mound for loss No. 5 against Penncrest April 13 when he “felt a twinge” in his shoulder fielding a bunt and side-arming a throw to first base.

It took a few days for DeShan to seek out a doctor, where he was diagnosed with a laceration to the anterior interval in his shoulder. It was an injury that his physician said couldn’t get worse and would require surgical correction eventually, but there was a misunderstanding about whether DeShan could keep playing by avoiding pitching or had to end his season altogether.

Since DeShan had played between the injury and the first medical consult, he figured why not keep going if it’s not hampering him much.

“So when I got the verdict back the second time and got the verdict that I needed surgery, I was like, ‘I’ve been playing with this and been able to play my spot and play my role correctly,’” he said last week. “I was confused and taken aback almost.”

That kind of toughness has been a necessity throughout the roster. DeShan and Charlie Connolly, who’s been limited with an arm issue, entered as the rotation anchors around Will Hoysgaard. An injury kept Connor Wilson, a University of Dayton commit, out for the first 11 games.

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