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BASEBALL: Surgery on the horizon for Schilling, Bishop Foley star hurler still in hospital
ROYAL OAK – Heading into the weekend, Madison Heights Bishop Foley all-state pitcher Garrett Schilling remains in the hospital and is scheduled for surgery to repair multiple fractures in his face after being violently struck in the cheekbone with a line drive on the mound Thursday in the Ventures’ 11-0 victory at home over Macomb Lutheran North.
Schilling, a senior, is signed with Xavier and has never lost an outing on the pitching rubber in his entire career as a prepster, compiling a 36-0 mark over the past three and a quarter seasons.
He was in the midst of throwing a no-hitter when the injury occurred Thursday with two outs in the fifth inning and he was immediately taken to nearby Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak to be treated.
His chances of returning to the diamond this spring are unknown, but at this moment they don’t appear great. The line-drive hit Schilling square below the left eye. According to those present, the scene was severe and Schilling could not see out of the eye following the injury.
The surgery he is set to undergo will be to repair the fractured bones and insert a pair of metal plates.
The Ventures (12-1) are three-time defending state champions in Division 3 and are currently ranked No. 1 in the state.
“Watching Garrett go down like that was hard to witness for everyone, it was a brutal injury,” Bishop Foley head coach Buster Sunde said. “We’re not thinking about when he can come back or anything like that, just that he gets better.”
Schilling’s 36-game win-streak is the second-longest in MHSAA history.
Through the pain, he was still able to show his appreciation for everybody’s support via social media.
"Thank you everyone for all of your prayers and well wishes! I feel so blessed to have so many people care about me!" he Tweeted from his hospital bed Friday afternoon.
Schilling was a first-team all-state selection in each of the past two seasons and is 5-0 this year.
