Dysinger returns from arm injury to lead Gorman to Legion World Series

When Scott Dysinger suffered a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder in January, he was unsure when he would be able to pitch again.

Seven months later, the right-hander was crowned Most Valuable Player of the American Legion Western Regional in leading Bishop Gorman to its second World Series berth in three years.

Gorman (70-7-1) opens the double-elimination World Series against Omaha, Neb., (40-16) at 7 a.m. today in Shelby, N.C.

"I'm just relieved to be playing again," Dysinger said. "I missed the game so much."

Dysinger (6-0, 1.00 ERA), a 2007 Gorman graduate, was set to begin his collegiate career at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Calif., this past season.

But after tearing his rotator cuff, he was forced to begin extensive physical therapy in February and wound up missing his entire freshman season.

Dysinger finally began throwing again in June, though he still doesn't consider his arm fully recovered. He plans to play next year at College of Southern Nevada.

"He's been down and out, and we didn't know what we were going to get out of him this summer," Gorman coach Chris Sheff said. "We didn't know if we'd get innings out of him on the mound, but he's been healthy enough to do everything."

Dysinger got the win in the Western Regional clincher by allowing one run in 5 2/3 innings. He also led Gorman, which plays during the summer as the Southern Nevada Titans, in batting average (.579) and the entire regional in RBIs (eight) and runs (seven) in five games -- all Gorman victories -- at Surprise, Ariz.

On top of all that, Dysinger served as the coach this summer for the Titans' junior varsity team, which reached the Mid-America Regional Tournament in Lincoln, Neb.

"He's been a great role model for our kids," Sheff said. "He just displays everything that we appreciate as a program."

That program is eager to improve on its 0-2 showing at the 2006 World Series.

"We still have unfinished business because of what happened last time," Dysinger said. "This time I feel a lot better about it."

Gorman, a winner of 16 straight games and 22 of its last 23, hasn't lost since July 19.

"With momentum, they have an opportunity to go win the whole thing," Sheff said.

• LEGACY WINS REGIONAL -- Legacy won four games in two days to climb out of the losers' bracket and win the American Legion AA Central Plains Regional Tournament on Sunday in Pratt, Kan.

Legacy, which won the Nevada Silver Division state championship, beat three-time defending champion Jordan (Minn.) 3-1 and 4-3 Sunday to take the title.

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.