Ready to play after chemo

It was the kind of comeback that teenager Ryan Freydig had hoped for during his 100 hours of chemotherapy.

Diagnosed with testicular cancer two days after Christmas, the Hemet high school senior had to put much of his life on hold. That included his role as a starting pitcher for the West Valley High School Mustangs baseball team.

But on Tuesday afternoon, in front of cheering family and teammates, Ryan, 17, nervously stepped up to the mound and pitched for the first time since his diagnosis and treatment.

Ryan, the number 7 emblazoned upon his uniform, struck out the first batter. And the second. And the third.

“You don’t think about anything else in the world when you’re absorbed in playing baseball,” he said in a phone conversation during a break between the third and fourth innings. “The energy today is invigorating.”

In early December, Ryan told his father, Francisco Freydig, that he suspected he had testicular cancer after researching his symptoms on the Internet. He had been fatigued and in pain.

On Christmas Day, he was rushed to a hospital and tested. Eight days later, he underwent surgery.

“He told me, ‘Dad, it’s no big deal; they just have to remove it,’ ” Francisco Freydig said. “He’s been so calm throughout the process and made a miraculous recovery I could only attribute to God and prayer.”

The American Cancer Society estimates that 7,920 new cases of testicular cancer were diagnosed during 2007. Although other types of cancer are more prevalent overall, testicular cancer ranks as the most common in the U.S. for males ages 15 to 34.

Ryan’s father said the last five months have been rough for his family, but watching his son’s determination to get back to good health – and the community of Hemet’s support in those efforts – has been “a beautiful experience.”

Francisco Freydig said his doctors told him in January that his eyesight had deteriorated to the point that he was legally blind. As a result Freydig lost his job as commercial truck driver. He said he is now on disability, but his insurance is helping cover many of the costs for Ryan’s treatment.

“It’s been quite a journey,” he said. “It hasn’t been easy, but seeing what Ryan has gone and made it through, keeps us going.”

In a gesture of team support, three of Ryan’s coaches shaved their heads to match his. A citywide effort led by the team’s baseball moms has raised $1,100, which is going toward medical bills and college expenses.

Ryan, a native of Riverside, plans to attend Cal State Long Beach next semester and dreams of becoming an architect. In the meantime, he’s looking forward to graduation and wrapping up the season with the Mustangs.

“I just want to finish what I’ve started there,” Ryan said.

Ryan trained with the Mustangs through chemotherapy treatment but did a lighter workout. Still, he missed the first half of the season. He returned two weeks after his last chemotherapy session.

“Ryan’s worked real hard to get healthy,” said Coach Justin Solis. “Ryan’s our moral victory today – no matter what happens.”

The team played Tuesday against the Whitney High School Wildcats from Cerritos at a field in Covina. But the Mustangs went on to win 29-0, in a game called after four innings because the lead was so large.

Ryan threw 43 pitches in four innings, striking out three and giving up no hits or walks. The Mustangs’ record now stands at six wins and 10 losses.

francisco.varaorta@ latimes.com

Times staff writer Francine Orr contributed to this report.