PEARL — The last time Michael Busby played a game at Trustmark Park, he was a wide-eyed high school kid with a bright baseball future in front of him.

The former Porters Chapel Academy star returned this week in the latest stop on a winding and sometimes frustrating journey through the world of college baseball. Now a junior at UAB, he has battled disappointment and injuries while still enjoying a few highs along the way and maintaining a sunny outlook on what’s still in store.

“It’s been up and down. It’s had high points and low points. I’ve tried to stay even keel and stay with it,” Busby said.

After finishing his high school career in the 2007 MAIS all-star game at Trustmark Park, Busby went on to Mississippi State and started his college career with a flourish. As a freshman relief pitcher, he struck out 30 batters in 37 innings and tied for the team lead with 19 appearances. That success was short-lived, though. An arm injury ended his 2009 season after only five games and ultimately led coach John Cohen to pull his scholarship.

So Busby went to Hinds Community College, where he hit .324 with 40 RBIs and 40 runs scored and helped the Eagles win the MACJC championship.

Busby had signed with UAB before he even suited up at Hinds, but his strong 2010 season seemed to indicate a return to form. So far, however, his stint in Birmingham has been just another rollercoaster ride.

Busby worked his way into the rotation as the Blazers’ Sunday starter, then struggled. He is 1-2 with a 6.51 ERA in eight starts. He allowed one run in six innings in an early-season win over Marshall, but lasted just one inning and gave up three runs in his last outing against Central Florida on May 15.

Busby blamed much of his trouble on pain in his shoulder. When healthy, his fastball has topped out in the low 90s. By the age of 20, however, he had already had separate operations performed on his right elbow and shoulder.

When his arm aches, it’s hard to be effective — and it’s hard to predict when it’ll ache, he said.

“I can’t stay consistent with it. It’ll feel good one day and the next day it won’t feel good, then the next day it’ll feel good again. It’s hard to pitch when you’re up and down like that and can’t find consistent ground to stand on.”

Busby started on the mound in today’s Conference USA Tournament finale against Memphis. On Thursday, he found another way into the game. He served as the designated hitter in a 6-4 loss to Central Florida and went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts.

Like his up-and-down pitching, it was another piece of a frustrating season. In 69 at-bats, Busby is hitting just .174 with seven RBIs and nine runs scored.

Busby welcomed the dual role of pitcher and hitter, yet was aware it came about because of his struggles on the mound and at the plate. His inability to excel in either position has left UAB’s coaches experimenting to find the role that best suits him.

“I’m definitely not complaining about playing time. When I get a chance I’m going to play. But part of it has been because I’ve been inconsistent. It falls on me. I’ve got to be more consistent with my arm and my hitting,” Busby said.

Despite a forgettable season, Busby has tried to remain optimistic. He received a medical redshirt for his lost 2009 season, and thus will have one more shot at finding the lasting success that has so far proved elusive.

“It’s very disappointing, but I do have one more year next year. So, hopefully I’ll come back a little better next year,” Busby said. “It’s good that I have another year to focus on and can gather myself in between years. It’s been a good experience this year to get going a little bit and get playing again.”