---

Our Q&A 

Prep Baseball: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Cole: I didn’t have many expectations about the recruiting process. I knew that the work I put in would pay off in some way shape or form and I trusted that. I wanted to go some place that felt like they wanted me. Also, I wanted a coaching staff that felt like they can get me to the next level past college which is the ultimate goal.

PB: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

C: The things I liked most included the coaching staff, distance from home, and the style of play that Oklahoma pursues. Ultimately I wanted a program that wanted to win and kept a high standard no matter what which Oklahoma portrays.

PB: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

C: One thing of advice I would tell younger players would be to not take short cuts. The best thing a baseball player can do is embrace the full process because the fundamentals are the most important part of baseball.

PB: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

C: Yes it did.

PB: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

C: My recruiting process started to heat up the fall of my sophomore year where I started to attend college camps. My travel ball team went to a team invite team at Oklahoma State at the start of the summer following my sophomore year where one of the Oklahoma coaches happened to be there too and see me play.

PB: Was there a particular Prep Baseball tournament or showcase that helped accelerate your recruiting process? If yes, how so?

C: The Future Games was the best event to attend when it comes to recruiting. There was infinite college coaches at every field to the point where you were getting watched and looked at no matter what.

PB: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

C: University of Missouri and Oklahoma State University

PB: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

C: Brady Kehlenbrink was the best I’ve faced especially when I was a freshman. He really likes to compete hard but his fastball was heavy and had a good curveball to go off of that.

PB: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from?

C: I want Zachary Dehaas’ speed for sure

PB: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?

C: Anderson Kaufmann without a doubt!

PB: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

C: I have always been confident about my potential, but when I reached about 8th grade, I realized that I can turn my dream into reality and started taking my game to the next level.

PB: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

C: My most memorable moment was when I went yard at Future Games in front of everyone.

PB: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

C: I believe the Junior Bills can win a district title and make a deep run into state. Since my freshman year, we have kept the exact same core players, which allows us to have a great team chemistry. The last two years have been heart breakers and it fuels us to put everyone to rest this season.

---

Recent News