Eric McGough was told his recovery from the infamous "Tommy John surgery" would take 18 to 24 months.

Having endured the intensive rehabilitation to the lower end of that time frame, this 2004 Plum High School graduate is at last reaping the rewards of his hard work.

McGough, a pitcher with St. Johns Lambros of the Greater Pittsburgh Federation League, made a verbal commitment Sunday to accept a full scholarship to Charleston Southern University, a Division I program in the highly regarded Big South Conference.

"There were a lot of challenges along the way after surgery," McGough said. "I was frustrated at times and it can be very, very discouraging. I just hung in and refused to give up. It's paying off for me now."

The technical term for the procedure is ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. McGough's elbow required it in December 2004 after he heard his arm pop during a game late in 2004. This was after a long spring and summer of pitching for his high school and American Legion teams and showcasing his arm regularly for college and professional scouts.

McGough, who is 6 feet 4, 180 pounds, had traveled to attend junior college in Alabama, but came home once rehab became apparent. He thanked family and friends repeatedly for their support in working his arm back into the shape it was before the injury.

"The process, looking back on it, it's hard for me to believe," McGough said. "Sometimes I actually can't believe I successfully completed it.

"There's a lot of guys who only go through the process halfway because it's so depressing and demoralizing, looking at yourself as a shell of what you once were."

Tom McCarthy has been one of McGough's most trusted supporters, having coached McGough at Plum and now with St. Johns Lambros. He said McGough is back to where he was in 2004.

"I think he's past it," McCarthy said. "He's surpassed it. He's throwing harder, he has better control than he did before, plus he's grown up a little bit. That's always key."

Coming into this week, McGough had allowed only two earned runs while striking out 24 in 22 innings. He is effective not only because he can throw the ball more than 90 mph, but because he has learned the art of pitching in terms of changing speeds and using all of his pitches.

"He knows what he's doing," McCarthy said. "He's not afraid to pitch inside."

St. Johns Lambros has been dominating the Federation League. Its 21-1-1 record heading into the week was good enough to clinch the regular-season title -- and National Amateur Baseball Federation national qualifier berth that comes with it.

"It's much easier [to pitch] when you've got a great group of guys behind you that will do whatever it takes to win," McGough said.

McCarthy and McGough agreed that McGough benefits from the veteran presence on St. Johns, traditionally the most experienced roster in the Federation League.

Now pain-free, McGough finally was able to pitch competitively this spring for CCAC-Boyce. He began with one-inning appearances and gradually built up to the point he has been able to pitch complete games for St. Johns Lambros and is now one of the team's aces.

McGough allows that there were moments when he wondered if he would make it back, but his strong faith pulled him through, said McCarthy. McGough has months remaining in the doctor's projected full recovery time, but he has professional aspirations if he succeeds at Charleston Southern.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing where the next six months leads me," McGough said.

"It's a discouraging process. I really feel for anyone who has to go through that; I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

"But since I have gotten through it, I am better than ever, so I can say it was a blessing in disguise."