Greyhound pitcher Phillips done for remainder of season

Boerne pitcher Cole Phillips announced on social media last week that he will undergo season-ending surgery on his pitching elbow.

Phillips wrote on his twitter account on Friday, “I will be having surgery on my UCL (Ulnar Collateral Ligament).”

The procedure is better known as Tommy John surgery and will sideline Phillips for about a year. The senior was expected to be drafted this summer; however Phillips has also signed a national letter of intent to play baseball at the University of Arkansas.

The Razorbacks will still honor the scholarship, according to Boerne coach Bill Merrell.

Major League teams have been eyeing Phillips and have been regular at games every time he’s pitched this year.

The senior has hit 100 miles per hour on his pitches and registered 101 mph four times in a tournament game in Victoria.

Phillips pitched last Tuesday against Bandera and went three innings. He struck out all nine batters he faced and then left the game. Apparently, Phillips hurt his pitching elbow on the last pitch or two.

Merrell said he felt like somebody punched him in the gut when the news was confirmed that Phillips was out, but added that the show must go on.

“I hate it for him, I hate it for his parents, I hate it for the kids and for our program. He’s an important part of the team, but he’s not the only part of our team,” Merrell said. “I told the team that we can cancel the rest of the schedule or finish the job. It’s not the end of the world, it gives other kids chances to step up. It’s a task put in front of us, we’ll still go on with district and hopefully put ourselves in Austin (at the state tournament).”

Xander Cloudy will replace Phillips as the Tuesday starter and Andrew Poole will stay in the rotation as the Friday starter going forward.

Merrell said the last he heard, Phillips had received about 650 messages on social media, including coaches and players from other teams in the district and even Sinton, Boerne’s main baseball rival the last few seasons, wishing him the best and a speedy recovery.

Because Phillips made his announcement last Friday on April 1, Merrell said people were asking him if it was an April Fool’s joke.

“I wish it was, but it’s not,” the coach said. “I hate it for Cole but his attitude has been great. It’s a shame because he’s worked so hard and now he has to work even harder.”