In this article we catch up with former Eastlake great, MLB pitcher, Chad Orvella, and current Eastlake phenom, Cody O’Donnell. They were thrown a series of questions to give a glimpse into their experience at Eastlake High School, their favorite moments in baseball, and plenty more!
There was never a person who out worked me. Now whether or not that was true, I believed it. That helped motivate me when no one else was paying attention to what I was doing. I was paying attention to what I was doing and that was enough for me. I owe that mind frame to my success in both baseball and now in the real world of owning a small business.
- Chad Orvella, Tampa Bay Rays
Chad Orvella, Tampa Bay Rays
Q: What years were you at Eastlake?
A: I went to Eastlake High School from 1996-1999.
Q: Did you play any other sports besides baseball?
A: I played two sports at Eastlake, baseball and golf.
Q: What is your most favorite baseball memory EVER?
A: My most favorite baseball memory—It's very difficult to pick just one. I had the opportunity to continue playing baseball after high school and after college.
High School: hitting my very first home run against Redmond High School and Hartman Park. It was a night game and my sophomore year.
College: I went to Columbia Basin College and NC State. At Columbia Basin College, we won the NWAC in 2001. That team was just inducted into the NWAC Hall Of Fame. At NC State I played shortstop and pitched on a rare occasion. We had a game against East Carolina where I came in to pitch late in the game, ended up getting the win that night, and hit a walk-off home run.
Q: Favorite teacher you had at Eastlake?
A: I'd have to say Mrs. Henselman. She was great and coached the golf team too.
Q: Most memorable day at Eastlake non-baseball related?
A: Would have to be graduation. I'm not sure if I was ready for the next step in life at that time, but looking back that was the moment I started to really focus on what I wanted out of baseball.
Q: Best advice you could give a student-athlete at Eastlake?
A: I always tell people that I was never the best baseball player on any team I ever played on. There were guys at Eastlake that were more talented than me. I'd say the same thing about Columbia Basin College and NC State. Every step of the way through the minor leagues and clearly in the big leagues as well. But there was never a person who outworked me. Now whether or not that was true, I believed it. That helped motivate me when no one else was paying attention to what I was doing. I was paying attention to what I was doing and that was enough for me. I owe that mindset to my success in both baseball and now in the real world of owning a small business.
Q: If there is one thing you know now that you wish you would’ve known then at Eastlake, what would that be?
A: I know many kids feel like the end of high school is a big deal. I did too at the time. These are your friendships you've made and it can be daunting heading into the next step in life. In my experience, life began after high school. Some of my best memories are after high school. Some of my best friends I made after high school. High school is a good start, but exciting things are ahead.
I want to leave a positive impact whether it’s on or off the field. I want to try and encourage people to be the best version of themselves and push their boundaries
-Cody O’Donnell, Eastlake HS
Cody O’Donnell, Eastlake HS
Q: What year are you at Eastlake? How many years on Varsity?
A: I am a senior and this is my 3rd year on varsity.
Q: Did you play any other sports besides baseball growing up?
A: Growing up I played football, basketball, and golf.
Q: What is your most favorite baseball memory EVER?
A: My favorite baseball memory is in 2023 when our high school team won the State Championship dominating the game 13-1 and finished the season with a 26-2 record. Also back in my 12u year our All-Stars team won districts and got to go to the Tri-Cities to play in the State Tournament.
Q: Favorite teacher you’ve had at Eastlake?
A: Mr. Curry because he found a way to relate with me and the other students in our class really well and he felt like a friend as well as a teacher.
Q: Most memorable day at Eastlake non-baseball related?
A: My most memorable day at Eastlake that was non-baseball related was probably the first day of freshman year. I walked into the school not knowing what to expect and worried about what high school was going to be like. I also got to meet lots of new people and build new relationships.
Q: Best advice you could give a young student-athlete at Eastlake?
A: Control the controllables. If something is completely out of your control and you can’t change the outcome don’t let that affect you going forward. With that said, if something is in your control take action and do what you can to make that outcome the one you want.
Q: If there is one thing you want people to say about you when you leave Eastlake what would that be and why?
A: I want to leave a positive impact whether it’s on or off the field. I want to try and encourage people to be the best version of themselves and push their boundaries.
Q: Biggest role model?
A: My biggest role models are my two older brothers. They have taught me growing up how to deal with my problems and how to grow and overcome them. They’ve taught me discipline and to get things done when they need to be done. They’ve taught me many lessons and I wouldn’t be who I am today without them.
Q: If you were the Mariners General Manager, who are you signing this year in free agency?
A: I’d say we need a first baseman like Pete Alonso. I don’t follow the Mariners a ton but a guy like that would definitely fit the Seattle energy and the Mariners are in need of a first baseman so it would be a win-win.
