Congrats on your new commitment! What is it about Oakland University that excites you the most?

The thing that excites me most is playing Division 1 baseball and going into a line of study that I have always wanted to go into. I am really looking forward to studying biomedical science at Oakland along with playing in a very good Horizon conference.

You joined Top Tier as an incoming sophomore. As you start your senior year of
high school, tell us what that experience has been like the past two years and what it means to wear the TT.

These past 2 years playing with TT have been surreal. I’ve met some of my best friends that will last me forever, and made relationships with the best coaches in the country. Coming into the program I was very nervous, but in that first fall practice I felt welcomed and already felt like part of the TT family. It means the world to wear the TT across your chest every day, knowing you’re playing for something more than yourself. It also shows all of your hard work finally starting to pay off.

Talk a little bit about the recruiting process and how everything went down.

The recruiting process has been very long, stressful, and frustrating. It started going into my sophomore year when I began visiting schools. It has really been on and off for a while, and it picked up at the right time. I visited Oakland once and I already knew it was going to be my new home.

What were some of the priorities you looked at when deciding where you wanted to commit?

When I was deciding where I wanted to go, I was looking for a school that was great academically as well as athletically. I also wanted to go to a school where I would have a chance to play and contribute right away.

What challenges do you see ahead of you before you get to campus?

Some challenges I see ahead of me are really integrating with new people once I get there as well as acclimating to the life of a college athlete. It will be a challenge balancing school and baseball but with good time management it can be done.

What are some of the goals you have set for yourself as a college baseball player?

My goals as a college baseball player are starting now. I want to show up on campus next fall a new man, strength and speed wise. I want to be able to play every game freshman through senior year. Also, I want to be the best teammate and player I can be and help my team win a lot of ball games.

Is there anybody you would like to give a shout-out or thanks to?

First I would like to thank my parents, without them I would not be even close to where I am today as an athlete, student and person. I would also like to thank all of my Palatine Red Heat family for always believing in me and pushing me. Also, I want to thank Tad Slowik, Paul Bloomquist, Pete and Bill Miller and Adam Vignola for always staying close to me and helping me during and after my time in their program. Lastly, I would like to thank everyone at TT including Coach Fine, Coach Plante, Coach Griff, Coach Colletta, Coach Kenny, Coach Garza, and last but not least, Jessie for all of their help tremendously in placing me at Oakland, always helping me with my game, and instilling a work ethic that will stay with me forever.