SYLVANIA - When Jacob Dukate was forced to miss two years of baseball due to elbow surgery, there were admittedly some concerns about his future in the game.

“My growth plates were fractured,” the St. John’s Jesuit senior reflected back to being forced to take his eighth and ninth grade seasons off from the sport. “It was a tough time, but it was one of those things that had to be fixed. The surgeon told me there would be no long-term effects. Rehab was tough, but I think I'm better for it.”

So much so that the 38th-rated 2023 right-handed pitcher in Ohio is now a Division I college commit to Eastern Michigan.

“My dad is good friends with Mike Schultz, an umpire who umpires in the MAC and he knows the Eastern guys well,” Dukate explained about where his connection with EMU began. “The pitching coach saw some video of me and wanted to come out and check me out in person. I threw a bullpen for him and after that I went on a visit. It was a good fit for sure.”

The bullpen on Oct. 2, which took place in front of coach Aaron Hilt, helped Eastern get a better perspective of what the 6-4 214-pounder could do on the mound.

“They like my frame, how my ball is pretty live and that I’m really projectable,” Dukate pointed out. “When I was working the bullpen I was working fast which he likes his pitchers to do.”

There is more that Dukate believes stands out about himself.

“I’m big on breaking down mechanics,” Dukate said. “I’m very knowledgeable about the game.”

That began after returning from his time off due to injury.

“Once I started to pick pitching back up I became more refined,” noted Dukate, who first took up pitching during 12U baseball. “I’ve been working on developing a slider which will make me a better pitcher. I’ve also been working (online) with Trend Athletes out of North Carolina and that’s helped me become a better athlete.”

The 92nd-ranked senior in the state was talking with “most MAC schools” during his recruiting process, but it was moving slowly.

“They were telling me, like everyone, that they wanted to wait for the transfer portal,” Dukate said.

But things were different with Eastern Michigan.

“Coach (Eric) Roof and coach Hilt are great guys,” related Dukate in reference to the head coach and pitching coach at EMU. “I have a lot in common with them. The campus there is nice and I couldn’t pass up a chance to play in the MAC. But the biggest thing was my relationship with the coaches.”

The end of the recruiting process, admittedly, brings a sense of relief to the 17-year-old.

“It was a little slow with the transfer portal and with Covid, that was tough,” Dukate explained. “Other than that, it was a fun experience. I met a lot of guys that I’ve taken stuff from, but in general I’m glad it’s over and I can just work on the development side of things.”

That is where Dukate believes he can benefit the Mid-American Conference program in Ypsilanti, which is just 45 minutes from his home in Sylvania.

“I’m a hard worker who will work as hard as anybody,” Dukate said. “I'm as competitive as anyone. They're going to get a winner that tries as hard as anybody.”

A 3.9 student at his high school in Toledo, Dukate looks forward to his days ahead as a pitcher for Eastern Michigan, where plans are to major in finance.

“I’m relieved to know I have a good place to go to college and play baseball,” Dukate said. “I’m happy with the decision and glad that I’m finally over with it.

“From a baseball aspect, I’m excited to pitch in the MAC,” Dukate continued. “I really look forward to pitching against Toledo where I have friends that are going there to play.”

It is just another step along the way for Dukate, who can now focus on what lies ahead after getting past his biggest obstacle of an injury a few years back.

“My whole life I’ve been a baseball guy with the ultimate goal of being a professional,” Dukate said. “But the immediate goal is D-I baseball.”