Garrett Vernau, a 2012 outfielder from Newark Catholic, discusses his college selection and what it is like playing at a Division IV high school.  Read more…

PBR: Why did you choose Tiffin?
Vernau:  The coaching staff showed me they really wanted me to be a part of their program, and made me believe that I can be an important part of their future.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
Vernau:  I have considered several schools, and in the end it came down to Tiffin and Ashland.

PBR:  Where did Tiffin first see you compete?
Vernau:  At the state tournament my sophomore year, and I made two diving catches in the outfield.

PBR: What kind of role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus?
Vernau:  They expect me to be a contributing member of the team as a freshman, and to compete for playing time.

PBR: What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that you will help Tiffin?
Vernau:  My biggest strength is my speed in the outfield and on the base paths.  I expect to cover a lot of ground in the outfield and help our pitching staff feel confident about putting the ball in play.  I also expect to make things happen with my speed on the base paths.

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?
Vernau:  I grew up admiring and following Tony Womack, who played primarily with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks.  I loved to watch how a small guy with great speed could play hard and impact the game.  Tony Womack gave me my first autograph at Spring Training when I was 4 years old, and later in the day when another player turned me down, Tony came over and signed for me again and talked to me for a while.  I followed his career and tried to play just like him, and I will always take time to talk to young players.

PBR:  Who do you play for in the summer and what was your most exciting experience?
Vernau: This past summer I played for the Columbus Cobras, and the previous two summers I played for the Zanesville 5Bs Stingers.  My most exciting experience this past summer occurred when I had two successful suicide squeeze bunts in the same game, and the second was the game winning RBI.  I take pride in doing anything the team needs to help the team win.

PBR: Newark Catholic is a D4 baseball powerhouse.  What do you say to all those that down grade playing at a small school?
Vernau:  Newark Catholic does not play a D4 team until we start tournament play.  We have won our league (MSL Ohio) in 2 of the last 3 years, and it is a strong D2/D3 baseball league with several teams having recent success in the state tournament.  In non-league games, we play teams like Zanesville, Jonathan Alder, DeSales, Watterson and New Albany. 

PBR: What were your stats for this spring season at Newark Catholic?
Vernau:  Batting Average - .363;  On Base Average - .474; Slugging Average - .525; Strike Outs 6 in 103 plate appearances; Sacrifice Bunts - 6;  Stolen Bases - 10; Fielding Average - 1.000

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher that you have faced in Ohio?
Vernau:  Jimmy Lough, my long time teammate at NCHS and recent OSU commit.  I faced him for years as we were growing up together, and in intrasquad scrimmages as teammates at NCHS.  In the last game I was 1 for 2 with a K and a gapper, but he knows I own him!