- Fall 2011
Personal Statement
My hope is to find an opportunity to complete an undergraduate mechanical engineering degree while playing baseball for a coach and program that prides itself in graduating their student athletes. Like most high school athletes, I hope to contribute at a Division I or Division II university. A Division III or NAIA program that has a Catholic affiliation and can provide an engineering curriculum may also be a great fit.
My Junior year in High School (2011-2012) provided opportunities that few players experience. I was a pitcher on the Lake Central (Indiana) varsity team that won 32 games with 1 loss. As a team we won the 4A IHSAA Championship. The intensity of the IHSAA tournament will make me a better player for the rest of my playing career. ESPN Powerade FAB 50 Final Rankings recognized Lake Central's 2011-2012 baseball team as the #7 team in the Nation. I am fortunate to be part of the team's success and grateful to play for a program and coaching staff as committed to success both on and off the field as Lake Central.
I have a solid 6'2" projectable pitchers frame. Hard work during off-season conditioning has improved my speed and strength as I have added 10-12 lbs. of muscle; I presently weigh 205 lbs. My velocity has increased from the low 80's and my fastball is presently 84-86 mph. I have quality secondary pitches that contrast both a four-seam fastball and a two-seam fastball that has good movement into the hands of right-handed hitters. I have a lot of confidence in my changeup that is very good and is masked well with my long pitcher's frame. I feel confident that I can get most hitters to chase my pitches when I get ahead of them. Solid mechanics have allowed me to get into high pitch counts on a regular basis.
During elementary school, I lived in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area which provided easy access to college baseball. While attending college baseball games, I developed an immediate love for the game. I pleaded with my parents to sign me up for baseball camps sponsored by both the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University. It was obvious to my parents that baseball was then, and is now, my passion. To this day, my goal to play baseball at a University is clearer than ever. I am not only proud of my commitment to baseball but the commitment my family has made as well. When other families arranged for family vacations, my family supported me through summers of travel baseball throughout the Midwest. Travel tournaments became the vacation time that we all shared. Seeing my family invest in my dream only inspired me to focus and work harder on skills and strength with one dream in mind, "to play baseball at a collegiate level".
