Tommy Egan, a graduate of Mount Carmel, experienced a memorable moment in his baseball career while representing Troy University. As a fifth-year college baseball player at his fourth school, Egan served as the starting pitcher for Troy’s super regional Game 2 against Little Rock. The Trojans were on their home turf, aiming to secure their first-ever College World Series appearance. For Egan, this was an extraordinary scenario.
Egan reflected on the experience, saying, “Pitching in the super was special. The adrenaline was intense. I had more adrenaline at the super than in Omaha. The stadium was packed with fans even standing on top of the football stands overlooking the field. It was incredible.”
Under the spotlight, Egan delivered one of the finest performances of his career. The senior right-hander struck out eight batters over 7 1/3 innings. He allowed two earned runs on five hits, leading his team to a 7-2 victory. This win secured a spot for coach Skylar Meade and the Trojans at the College World Series in Omaha for the first time.
“Helping Troy reach this milestone means everything. I wanted to do it for Skylar; he’s a great coach who genuinely cares about his players,” Egan said. “After losses, we’d think, ‘He’s losing sleep.’ His dedication is motivating.”
“I’ve known Tommy forever, and it’s thrilling to see him succeed this way. I’m proud of Tommy,” said Mount Carmel coach Brian Hurry.
On June 6, the historic victory coincided with Mount Carmel’s win over Brother Rice, securing a Class 4A sectional title en route to a third-place finish in the state. Egan’s father, Mark, an assistant for Mount Carmel, was present in Troy to watch his son’s game. Coach Hurry confirmed he hurried from the Brother Rice game to watch Tommy pitch on television before later heading to Omaha to support him at the World Series.
Egan contributed to Troy’s World Series journey, which ended with a 1-2 record. Although they suffered losses to West Virginia, the Trojans claimed a 12-8 win over Ole Miss. Egan pitched two innings, allowing four earned runs during the sole victory.
Egan expressed, “Being in Omaha was an amazing experience. We had a flyover before the first game – it was surreal. Despite losing the last game, we realized, ‘We’re in Omaha. How did we get here?’ Playing there was unforgettable.”
Throughout the season, Egan achieved a record of 6-5 with a 5.46 ERA and 101 strikeouts over 89 innings. He battled with a calf injury during the latter half of the season, affecting his mechanics and reducing his velocity.
Reflecting on his condition, Egan shared, “I was pitching at 84 or 86 mph, slower than I’ve ever thrown since high school. For any other team, I might have stopped playing, but I accepted that this team was worth the effort. My performance stayed strong despite not having my best form.”
During his college journey, Egan played at Iowa Western, Houston, and Illinois-Chicago before Troy. Now, he awaits potential professional opportunities, cherishing the memories of an unforgettable year. “I embraced playing baseball, unsure if it’s my last year. Reaching Omaha made everything worthwhile,” Egan concluded.
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