Wake Forest athlete plays first game since kidney transplant from coach | News

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A Wake Forest baseball player who received his coach’s donated kidney last February went to the plate for his first official at-bat on Wednesday.

Kevin Jordan, whose Demon Deacons took on High Point University, said it felt good to be back on the diamond again.

“Baseball is always fun. It’s what I’ve been doing for the majority of my life,” Jordan said.

Jordan, 19, made national headlines on February 7, 2011, after Coach Tim Walter, 42, donated his kidney at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. Walter was found to be a match for Jordan after his parents, Keith and Charlene, were considered incompatible.

Both were quickly back to baseball. Walter returned to the field only four days after surgery, while Jordan was allowed to swing a bat only seven weeks after surgery.

“When people do good things, have courage and do good things for one another, special things can occur,” Walter said.

As for how the freshman did in his first game action in more than a year, he said he’s still got some work to do.

“I had some good swings and went downhill from there, coming close and not close. Actually not close,” Jordan said, laughing.

“He had a last year that he missed, so he’s still got to get some of the rust off. Kevin is such a good athlete and works so hard for it, and it’s going to come to him real soon,” Walter said.

The Deacons ended up losing to HPU 16-15.