WINNIPEG – Former TCNJ first baseman Tommy McCarthy was on a plane to Winnipeg from Lincoln, Neb., with his new team on Tuesday morning, perhaps giving him the first chance to reflect back on a wild few days that led to him being on that flight.
 
McCarthy, the NJAC's Player of the Year as a junior in 2018 and a cornerstone of the 2019 NJAC Championship team, signed his first professional contract with the Gary SouthShore RailCats of the American Association on Friday night, just hours after the team contacted him. By Saturday, he was in Lincoln with his new team.
 
After sitting out Saturday's game, McCarthy was penciled in as the RailCats' fifth hitter, playing first base.
 
"That's when my adrenaline really started pumping," McCarthy said. "My brother, Pat, texted me when I was on my way to the stadium and said how happy and proud he was of me. He told me just to remember that once I put that uniform on, it was the same game I've been playing my entire life, and he was exactly right."
 
In that win, McCarthy went 1-for-3 with a walk.
 
"Picking up my first career hit in that game really took the weight off my shoulders," he said. "Once I got going, it felt like I was right back in the groove of things, and it gave me a chance to relax and look around and really soak in the entire moment."
 
An excellent fielder during his college career, McCarthy also got back into the groove on the defensive side. During that first start on Sunday, McCarthy ranged into foul territory towards a pop up that looked destined for the seats. Without breaking stride, he reached over the railing and made the catch while nearly flipping into the stands.
 
"Yeah, that was really crazy," McCarthy said. "I always dreamt of making that play at George Ackerman Park."
 
Dean Glus coached McCarthy for four years at TCNJ's Ackerman Park, and he was thrilled for his former player.
 
"I'm so excited for Tommy to realize one of the goals he set for himself when he came into our program," Glus said. "He earned this opportunity, and it couldn't have happened to a better person."
 
McCarthy finished his TCNJ career with a .305 batting average and 89 RBIs. As a senior, he reached career highs in several offensive categories, batting .326 with 13 doubles and 34 RBIs.
 
As this process played out over the weekend, he received countless texts and calls from friends, family, and his TCNJ teammates.
 
"For everyone to give me this kind of support and to see them all this happy for me is truly amazing," he said. "My mom and dad have been absolute rock stars through this entire process, and they're doing absolutely everything they can to help me chase my dream. I really can't thank them enough for everything that they've done for me."
 
That flight to Winnipeg has led to two more starts for McCarthy in the RailCats' series against the Goldeyes. In his three games, he is batting .250 (2-for-8) with three walks.