Inside the Recruitment: '15 RHP Troy Konwinski commits to Defiance

February 25, 2015

Troy Konwinski, RHP, Allen Park, Class of 2015

PBR: Why did you choose Defiance?

Konwinski:The coaching staff sold me. They were very welcoming and made me feel comfortable at Defiance. I never felt like I was a just a nameless prospect. All of the coaches went out of their way to talk to me and start a dialogue. Also, I went to a showcase they held and got a chance to meet some of the team. The players tried to help you on drills as much as they could, which I appreciated. The school also offers Criminal Justice as a major which I am planning to follow.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Konwinski: I was considering Albion, Marygrove, and Henry Ford. Earlier in the summer I had some discussions with University of Dubuque.

PBR: Where did the coaches first see you compete and how did your relationship develop with the rest of the coaching staff?

Konwinski: Coach Uxley saw me at the Eastern Michigan Unsigned Senior PBR event in October. He contacted me and asked to to come down and meet with Coach Woodley and Coach Castro.

PBR: What role does the coaching staff expect you to play during your first year on campus?

Konwinski:I am expected to pitch and play some 1st base.

PBR: Defiance is very close to home. How important of a role was distance in your decision?

Konwinski: Originally distance was not a problem, but as I started to get more serious with coaches I realized a long distance wouldn't work well for me.

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?

Konwinski: My Grandfather, he always drove me to my practices and would be at every game. Sean Gallagher of the Michigan Bulls also had a big impact in my development.

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer and what was your most exciting experience playing summer ball?

Konwinski: I play for the Michigan Bulls. The most exciting experience was losing one day to the Columbus Cobras by 9 runs, then playing them the following day in the championship and beating them by 9 runs. Later that evening, I caught a foul ball at a Tiger game.

PBR: What were your stats last season?

Konwinski: I hit .375. On the mound, I had 4 complete games, 2 shutouts, and a 1.04 ERA in 40 1/3 innings. I was named to all-District and an all-Area teams.

PBR: Who is the toughest hitter you have faced in Ohio?

Konwinski: There were always a few hitters on the Cincinnati Flames who always seemed to run up my pitch count. If you made a mistake with them, they always seem to hit it.