Illinois RHP Riley Gowens battles through adversity to return to mound
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (BVM) – Sports are an amazing look at the human psyche, and they bring about some of the highest highs, and the lowest lows. No one is more familiar with these feelings than Riley Gowens. The 6-foot-3 right–handed pitcher for the Fighting Illini baseball team has gone through many obstacles to get where he wants to be in terms of success, both for his team, and himself.
Gowens is from Libertyville, Illinois, and from a young age he was involved in many different sports.
“I started playing tee-ball at the normal age everyone played,” Gowens said. “I actually grew up liking basketball a little bit more. When you’re playing basketball, you’re non-stop doing something.”
For Gowens, the love for baseball was one that took time. However, once it clicked, he never looked back.
“In baseball, you have to be patient, you have to appreciate the game,” Gowens said. “I think it took me a little bit to really appreciate the game, because I grew up with a passion for basketball.”
Once Gowens grew older and began his high school career at Libertyville, his love for baseball grew even more.
“My senior year of high school, I ended up hanging up the basketball shoes,” Gowens said. “In that winter before my senior season, I had committed to Illinois previously, so I decided to solely focus on baseball.”
This would be a monumental decision for Gowens’ future. If he had doubts, he never showed it.
“With that, I saw some of the most progression I had ever had in my career up to that point in terms of development over that offseason,” Gowens continued. “I realized it was the best decision, and every offseason since then I’ve just gradually gotten better and better.”
Gowens’ senior season for the Libertyville Wildcats was an amazing one. He posted a 9-1 record with a 0.30 ERA. He also had a career-high 16 strikeouts while only giving up one hit after pitching 6 ⅔ innings against Lake Forest. Even when everything is going right for Gowens, he doesn’t let the pressure of success affect him.
“I would say I was really calm,” Gowens said. “I also wasn’t even really thinking about any of those stats or anything. When the season ends and you put that all into perspective, it’s really cool to look at, but during the season it’s not really something that you’re thinking about. You’re just thinking about hopefully winning a state championship for the town you’ve played for for the last 18 years.”
Unfortunately for Gowens, the start of his career at Illinois would be one filled with multiple obstacles. After undergoing Tommy John surgery and looking to make a comeback in the 2020 season, the coronavirus pandemic was underway. This would halt Gowens’ return even more, and he wouldn’t take the mound again until the 2021 season, over two years after his original injury.
“Oh my gosh, it felt like I had no chance of ever playing baseball again, and it felt like the world was ending, just the worst feeling in the world,” Gowens said.
For Gowens, this was the ultimate test of his strength and tenacity, and this time spent recovering would provide him with time to reflect, and come back better than ever.
“It was a battle, but it made me tough,” Gowens said. “I learned a lot about myself and I learned a lot about the game. I would say the biggest thing I learned was to not take the game for granted.
“I’m lucky to have not had an injury since then, but if I do have an injury, it won’t matter as I haven’t taken any pitch since getting Tommy John for granted. Every single time I’m playing catch, there’s emphasis on certain things, and if I get injured again, I know from what I learned from the Tommy John process, I will be able to put together those positive things towards the next process and recovery.”
During his time in quarantine, Gowens had a lot to mull over, and he used his time wisely so he could get back to the game he had played for so long. That desire for success would help put him in the right space mentally to continue his recovery process during some unprecedented times.
“I was only throwing around 85 or 86 mph max, a lot of guys who get Tommy John have their velocity spike at some point,” Gowens said. “I had to go home for those six months in the quarantine period and I got into really good shape, I took care of myself, focused on nutrition and my sleep. Over those six months, I was able to get back to 93 or 94 mph, and I was able to come back and put myself in a position to be one of the guys they looked at to start.”
Gowens’ recovery time also taught him a lot about his routine and himself. During this time, he would pick up and start more healthy habits that would put him in the best shape possible for baseball.
“Drinking a ton of water, keeping your body hydrated, going through proper warmups when you play catch, going through proper arm care when you’re done playing catch to work those muscles and help them recover,” Gowens continued. “There was a lot I learned about my body that I was able to put together over those six months of quarantine to build good habits that I’ve kept since then and have put me on an ascending path as a baseball player.”
When Gowens returned to the mound for Illinois, it was a memory he’ll remember for the rest of his career. All of the work he had put in over the last two years had led up to this moment.
“I remember the first start, it was the second game of the year my junior year and it was against Ohio State,” Gowens said. “I struck out the first guy and then loaded the bases on eight more pitches. After giving up a few runs I was able to settle in, but it all hit so fast.”
Gowens would end up being a great weapon for Illinois’ arsenal with strong performances throughout the season. One special moment for the team would be when Gowens and company combined for a no-hitter against Purdue on April 25, 2021, earning the pitcher Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week honors.
𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊@riley_gowens receives a national honor after throwing seven innings in Illinois' combined no-hitter.
📰 » https://t.co/cdSZb7lHQd pic.twitter.com/mqUXhIyCFV
— Illinois Baseball (@IlliniBaseball) April 26, 2021
Even when things aren’t necessarily going Gowens’ way on the mound, he doesn’t let it set him back. Rather, he uses every moment as an opportunity to get better for the future.
“You have to be able to move on to the next one, that’s what our pitching coach always says and it’s something I always try and follow,“ Gowens said. “Basically, your job as a starter is to keep the game in hand to give your hitters an opportunity to blow it open and win it for you. So, if a homerun happens, you need to be able to reset and get the next three guys out.”
While the Fighting Illini did well in their 2022 season with an overall record of 31-22 – going 17-7 against other Big Ten teams – the campaign ended with a loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament, a game in which Gowens started. Gowens went five innings, striking out five and only giving up one run. However, despite the loss, Gowens uses it as motivation.
“I remember exactly what it felt like,” Gowens said. “I remember the feeling when I kind of realized there was nothing we could do, our season was done. Those are the moments that stick in the back of your head for the next seven months while you’re training for opening day.”
Currently, Gowens is expanding his name into the MLB Draft League, playing summer ball for the Williamsport Crosscutters. In his first start on June 15, Gowens pitched three innings, giving up three hits and striking out four against the Trenton Thunder.
Riley Gowens strikes out three of the four batters he faces in the top of the 1st. Not a bad way to start your debut. #GoCutters
— Williamsport Crosscutters (@crosscutters) June 15, 2022
Playing for the Crosscutters will allow Gowens to add hype to his name in hopes for an eventual MLB career. Despite being in a new environment, he loves the new experience.
“It is absolutely awesome, it’s some of the most organic fun I’ve had in forever,” Gowens said. “We have a lot of guys on our team that are from other countries, so I’ve gotten to know a lot of guys that have a lot of different backgrounds. I think that’s one of the coolest parts of the game.”
Using this opportunity will help improve Gowens’ chances of hearing his name called at the MLB Draft. Given what he’s gone through the last three years to even get back to the mound, he’s got plenty to show those who will be scouting his skills. With his array of pitches, such as a 94 mph fastball, an 81 mph changeup, and a 76-78 mph curveball, combined with Gowens’ proven history of dominance on the mound for Illinois, he should be a draft candidate in the near future.
While Gowens is using this as an opportunity for a pro career one day, he doesn’t forget those outside of the game. He’s done charity work before, specifically for Feed My Starving Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to getting meals to children in underdeveloped nations.
“That’s a great hobby, that’s a great thing to do on the side, and I’ve been doing it for about 10 to 15 years,” Gowens said. “I think it’s really fun, and it’s for a really good cause.”
For Gowens, there is no one more familiar with the highs and lows of sports. The last few years of his career have been filled with doubt, fatigue and uncertainty. Despite these lows, he’s expanded his entire game to ensure he can give his teams the best possible version of himself. His tenacity, strength and determination are the reasons he’s had his current run of success, and with those skills, he looks forward to any challenges that will come his way.
