20-year-old pitcher diagnosed with Leukemia, will pitch Friday night

Life is full of curveballs.

This is particularly the case for T.J. Frericks, a 2013 St. Cloud Apollo graduate and currently a pitcher at Wabash Valley College.

After a night game last month, Frericks awoke the next morning, claiming to feel awful. After pitching a winning game on Sunday, feeling sick and weak throughout, he went to the doctor.

On Monday, Frericks was diagnosed with Leukemia.

 “It’s been a struggle there have been a lot of ups and downs. ” said Frericks, the 20-year-old left-handed pitcher.

The Watkins Clippers host the St. Nicholas Nicks in a Central Valley League amateur baseball game, Frericks plans to pitch.

Frericks is willing to play hardball with his prognosis, and he’s doing it for the love of the game. While he received bad news on Monday, there is good news for Friday night; Frericks father Tom is coming out of retirement to catch for him.

Tom Frericks, who retired from the Clippers seven years ago, said they have been waiting for an opportunity to play ball together since T.J. was a senior in high school.

The Clippers will play at their home field, of the Watkins Clippers Amateur Baseball Team located next to the Watkins Elementary School, 161 School Ave. South, Watkins.

The game starts at 7:30 pm