Derek Blyzwick

SLIPPERYROCK — Before each of Slippery Rock University pitcher Derek Blyzwick's starts, his roommate, who also happens to be his catcher, makes him breakfast.

"I make him eggs, scrambled," says Brad Wilson. "I know when he's on."

Blyzwick has been on a lot lately.

Healthy now after battling shoulder and elbow problems for the better part of three seasons, the right-hander with a knee-bending curveball is off to a fantastic start for The Rock.

After a seven-hit shutout against Clarion in the first game of a doubleheader sweep at Critchfield Park Friday, Blyzwick improved his record to 4-0 and lowered his ERAto 1.42.

Blyzwick, a redshirt junior, already has won the PSAC West Pitcher of the Week award twice this season. A third one may not be out of the question.

"Derek's been unbelievable for us," said SlipperyRock coach Jeff Messer. "We know we are always going to be in the game when he's out there. The only thing that concerns me withDerek is when he's out there, we almost expect him to throw a shutout and we don't handle the bats."

Messer, though, isn't going to quibble too much about Blyzwick, who had to overcome a lot to get back to this level of performance.

He made just one start as a freshman in 2003 before shutting it down with a sore right shoulder.

Two years ago, he was 4-3 with a 4.53 ERA and last year went 2-2 with a 6.52 ERA before the shoulder woes ended his season.

"My rotator cuff was loose, not torn," Blyzwick said. "I had to strengthen it up."

The next thing he needed to work on was his confidence.

"I think now he's not worried about hurting it again," Wilson said.

Blyzwick also developed a new pitch, a circle change.

Add that to a fastball with some zip and a curveball that is one of the best around, and it's no wonder Blyzwick is having a coming-out party this season.

"I've pretty much pitched the same as I always have," Blyzwick said. "But I added a circle change. I used to throw a split finger, but that didn't work so well. Now I have another pitch to go along with my fastball and curveball."

Wilson said Blyzwick's curveball is what sets him apart from the other pitcher in the PSAC.

His mental makeup also sets him apart as well.

Blyzwick is no stranger to pitching in big games. At Moon HighSchool, he pitched in two state championship contests. Even in Pony League, he was in pressure situations, pitching on a team that finished third in the Pony League World Series.

"Nothing bothers him," said Wilson, an Upper St. Clair graduate who also caught Blyzwick during summer ball when the two were in high school. "When you look at him, you can't tell if he's having a good game or a bad game."