Donnelly Commits to USC Salkehatchie

The Ontario Nationals are pleased to announce Christian Donnelly’s commitment to USC Salkehatchie (NJCAA DI). Donnelly, a left-handed pitcher from Burlington, ON, joined the Nationals in 2021 and has made tremendous strides both on and off the field during his time with the organization.

Christian came to the Nationals with a clear goal in mind: to play baseball beyond high school. “I felt like this was the place that could take me to the next level, and it did—both physically and mentally,” he shared. “I knew if I wanted to play baseball past high school, I needed a place that would put me to work and make sure I succeed, and the Nationals is that place.” His hard work and dedication have been evident throughout his time with the organization.

For Christian, pitching is not just a position but a craft he is passionate about. “I love pitching mechanics and how to improve them. Being able to tweak things ever so slightly to make improvements is such a cool thing in my opinion,” he explained. Christian attributes much of his growth as a player to studying the science behind pitching. By analyzing data such as spin rate and rotational speeds, he has been able to refine his technique with precision and continue improving his game.

Known for being caring, hardworking, resilient, and passionate, Christian is a player who leads by example and embodies the Nationals' values. His commitment to both personal and team success has made a lasting impression on his coaches and teammates.

The decision to commit to USC Salkehatchie was an easy one for Christian. “I have teammates that go there who say they love it,” he shared. The program’s strong sense of camaraderie and team culture sealed the deal for him. “The coach said how the team is like a brotherhood and they do everything together. That’s probably one of the most important things to me—being able to have a team that’s like a family when I’m so far away from my actual family.” Christian is excited to train hard over the next two years to continue advancing in both baseball and academics.

Christian closed with an inspiring message: “Keep working hard, and you’ll get what you want.” As Christian Donnelly prepares for this next chapter at USC Salkehatchie, the Ontario Nationals extend their congratulations and best wishes for his continued success.