KALAMAZOO - Mark another goal off the list of Avery Thielman.

“A goal of mine since middle school was to make varsity as a freshman and I did that,” the Kalamazoo Central senior reflected. “My next goal was to play D-I baseball somewhere. I knew it was attainable and I went after it.”

That objective was reached right near home with a commitment to Western Michigan.

“In November my high school coach reached out to them and we talked,” related the sixth-rated 2022 third baseman in the state. “I put in a lot of work over the winter but with the dead period they didn’t get to see me in high school. Once the dead period was over they came out to see me a couple of times. After that I got on campus for a visit and they offered.

“They like that I have a projectable frame,” continued the 6-5 210-pounder. “They like my leadership and my arm. I live in Kalamazoo and that makes it appealing to them as well.”

The thought of going to college less than 10 minutes from home is also attractive to Thielman.

“Every kid my age wants to distance themselves from their parents,” Thielman said. “I’ll live in the dorm my freshman and sophomore years, but I like the idea of seeing them on holidays.”

There is a lot  more that attracted the 68th-ranked senior in Michigan to the Mid-American Conference school.

“I knew it was where I wanted to go right away,” Thielman pointed out. “I talked to a few other schools during my recruitment but Western just felt right. They have high-level baseball which I like and they have a good business school. I really like the campus and I also like that I can see my family when I can. Plus, I have a couple of summer teammates going there.”

As for the baseball program, Thielman expects to be a major contributor.

“I’ll be a good teammate that brings you up when you’re down,” Thielman explained. “I’ll also bring a good hitter to the program.”

That is one area that the 17-year-old has improved upon of late.

“I’ve simplified my hitting and that’s helped me out a lot over the summer,” Thielman noted. “That’s something they like about me. I’m also a lot more mobile than I was and I’ve got a good arm.”

Thielman pointed to a pair of people that have been vital in his baseball journey to date.

“My dad has always been willing to play catch, go to the cages and hit, make sure I’m mentally sharp to play and help in any way he can,” Thielman said. “He coached me when I was younger and was my assistant coach two summers ago.

“My high school coach Scott Spada is another that has definitely helped me. He initially set me up with the Western coach. He pushed me hard, I think he saw potential in me. He’s always giving me advice whenever he can.”

The recruiting process did have some struggles, according to Thielman.

“Going into my junior year of high school I wasn’t really being recruited,” Thielman related. “But then it started to pick up when I got seen by Hope at a PBR showcase and they liked me on the mound.”

Kellogg and Kalamazoo College were others that showed an interest.

“I kind of thought I was being overlooked, but I’m happy with Western and excited about the future.”

Business is the planned major for Thielman, who is thrilled to be a D-I commit as senior year of high school begins.

“I’m super excited and my parents are really proud of me,” Thileman concluded. “Once they offered I knew right away I was going to go there.

“I’m definitely looking forward to being around players with similar goals as me that want to be there and get better. Hopefully, it’s something I can benefit from.”