SIU fits Duschinsky

A freak dishwashing injury hasn't stopped Donny Duschinsky.

The Elk Grove senior continues to help keep things clean around the house, even though he needed surgery a month ago on his right wrist after he cut two tendons in half on a broken pot.

The best news for Duschinsky is the injury also won't hurt the baseball future the Daily Herald All-Area pick set a few weeks ago with a verbal commitment to Southern Illinois. Duschinsky said he also had a scholarship offer from Valparaiso and interest from Michigan State and Illinois-Chicago.

"Obviously it's great competition in the Missouri Valley (Conference)," said Duschinsky, who said he'll be ready to play for Grenadiers in basketball. "It's about six hours straight south and it's warmer (in Carbondale).

"I'll have an opportunity to compete for a starting job right away and nobody wants to sit around and watch other people play."

Duschinsky threw a no-hitter as a freshman and hit .423 with 13 doubles, 4 homers and 34 RBI last spring. SIU recruited him as a third baseman.

"It's probably more suitable because of my size," said the 6-foot-2 Duschinsky, who has also played shortstop. "They made it clear they really wanted me."

Duschinsky and former Schaumburg star Grant Monroe hope to continue the success SIU has had with Mid-Suburban League standouts such as Kevin Koski (Conant) and Mark Kelly (Hoffman Estates). Koski's dad Joe also works at Elk Grove.

"He said, 'Here's what's good about it and here's what's bad about it,'" Duschinsky said of Joe Koski. "He was honest, which was really nice."

Duschinsky plans to major in business management or business marketing and has a 4.81 grade-point-average on a 5.0 scale and scored 28 on the ACT. He's also glad he doesn't have to worry during his senior season about his next stop.

"It also takes the weight off my shoulders," Duschinsky said. "I don't have to worry about going to impress people and being nervous."