BOWLING GREEN - For many, college is a time to get away from home. But Nate Kress is more than happy to stay where he grew up.

“When I was younger I wanted to go out of state,” Kress said about his college desires. “But once I got to high school I wanted to stay here and play for BG. I didn’t want to leave.”

That wish has been granted for the Bowling Green High School junior, who has committed to play at BGSU.

“It’s close to home and I want to play for my community,” the 22nd-rated 2023 right-handed pitcher in Ohio said. “That’s very important to me.”

It was an outing pitching for his high school team this past spring that helped bring interest from the Mid-American Conference program.

“It all first started when we beat Anthony Wayne the first time,” Kress reflected back to a high-school matchup with the Northern Lakes League power. “I was locked in from the first inning on and it continued for all 10 innings.”

Ball State, Xavier, Toledo, Miami and Grace were other colleges intrigued with Kress, who went the distance in a 1-0 10-inning victory against Anthony Wayne in a game that proved pivotal in his college recruitment.

“After the dead zone Sept. 1, coach Hallock texted me and we really hit it off,” Kress said in reference to the BGSU head coach Kyle Hallock. “I went and watched a practice and I really liked how he coached. I talked to some of the team and they were really nice and they all worked hard. He talked about how they were trying to change the program with all the recruits.”

An offer came on the campus visit.

“He gave me a month to think about it,” Kress said. “After that I decided I wanted to go to BGSU.”

The 58th-ranked junior in the state has the mentality the Bowling Green head coach appreciates.

“He loves how I want to win and that I’m very competitive on the mound,” Kress related. “He also loves my speed and the movement of my pitches.”

Work in the weight room, with bands and long toss were vital in making improvement, explained Kress, helping make the desire to play at the next level a reality.

“Since I was little my dream has been to play college baseball,” Kress noted. “Around the time I was 11 or 12 I began watching college baseball and saw how much fun they were having and I wanted to be a part of that.

“I never really thought I was good enough, I just played my game,” the 16-year-old continued. “But I’m very competitive and colleges started talking to me after that Anthony Wayne game.”

Admittedly, the recruiting process was stressful in the eyes of Kress.

“I went to a lot of PBRs and to a lot of camps,” explained Kress, who was the Top Performer at the PBR Northern Ohio Preseason All-State event back in February. “The PBRs really helped show how I progressed, showing what my speeds are and what my movements are.”

High school head coach Fred Riggs along with teammates have also played key roles in making college baseball aspirations come true, according to Kress, who believes intelligence, competitiveness, energy and support for teammates are important aspects he can bring to help Bowling Green succeed.

“I love to win and will bring that desire every year I play there,” Kress pointed out.

A 3.5 student planning to major in construction management in college, Kress has a lot of enthusiasm when thinking about what lies ahead at the next level.

“I’m looking forward most of all to getting my education at BGSU and having a lot of fun competing in baseball,” Kress said. “It’s very exciting to have committed there. A lot of stress has been taken off my shoulders trying to get myself out there. I’m very excited to get it done.”