By Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Senior Writer and Northwest scout

Zach Willeman, RHP, Napoleon HS, Class of 2014

PBR: Why did you choose Kent State?

Willeman: It came down to three schools, Toledo, Ohio State and Kent State. Something was telling me that Kent State was the place where I needed to go and my parents agreed with me. Another decision maker was how well I got along with the coaches and knowing that Coach Birkbeck will make me ready for the next level.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Willeman: I was considering Toledo, Ohio State, Miami, Cincinnati, and Penn State.

PBR: Why KSU over the other schools?

Willeman: Kent State had the coaches and program that could get me to the next level and the great relationship I grew with the coaches also helped. The visit to their campus was great and made me feel right at home.

PBR: Coach Jeff Duncan was hired this summer as the new coach at KSU.  How does it feel to be a part of his first recruiting class? 

Willeman: It feels great. From talking with him, I know that he is a great coach and is going to make sure his players are ready to get back to Omaha.

PBR: Coach Mike Birkbeck (Kent State pitching coach) has been a part of 40 players at KSU that have been drafted or signed into professional baseball. Is he a main reason for choosing Kent State?

Willeman: He was definitely a key factor in my decision making. He knows how to develop pitchers and get them ready for the next level and that is what I was looking for in my college search.

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

Willeman: I am pretty positive the first time they saw me was at the Top Prospect games in June. They were very interested right at the beginning of my recruiting and made sure they were in the hunt. They called every week checking up on me and asked how everything was going.

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

Willeman: They can see me stepping right in my Freshman year and getting plenty of time on the mound. Also, I know that I have to work extremely hard in order to fulfill their expectations.

PBR: This summer you participated in PBR's Top Prospect Games. How did your  performance at the event help you in the recruiting process?

Willeman: My performance at the Top Prospect Games helped me tremendously with recruiting. I didn't have a single contact until then and after that showcase, I had dozens of D1 coaches contacting me.

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

Willeman: Coach (Tom) Held from Defiance taught me at a very young age how to pitch properly and also showed me how to throw my breaking ball properly. Coach Held showing me how to do everything properly and my dad watching him helped me tremendously, because everything Coach Held taught me, my dad made sure I perfected it. Coach Held's knowledge and my dads encouragement definitely made me the baseball player I am today.

PBR: What was your most exciting experience while playing summer ball for the Napoleon River Bandits?

Willeman: The most exciting experience was winning State and Regionals to make it to the American Legion World Series. Knowing that we were one of eight teams left from over 5,000 legion baseball programs was definitely the most exciting experience.

PBR: What were your stats last season for Napoleon and this summer for the Napoleon River Bandits?

Willeman: Napoleon: 3.39 ERA, 77 Ks, 57 2/3 Innings. Napoleon River Bandits: 1.86 ERA,  124 Ks, 98 Innings, 17 games pitched, 14 starts, 8-4 record.

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

Willeman: Ty Suntken (Wauseon SS/RHP, Ohio U.)

PBR: With the success the River Bandits had this summer and the experience plenty of your teammates at Napoleon received this summer, any thoughts on your senior year at Napoleon and any goals for the season?

Willeman: I have high hopes for this Spring. We definitely have the talent to make it pretty far in the tournament.

PBR: Your thoughts on the help PBR gave?

Willeman: PBR definitely helped me with my recruiting, because I didn't have a single school call me before the Top Prospect Games, but after it I had a bunch. Chris Valentine has been a great help also by giving me coaches I needed to call or coaches calling me letting me know that Chris had nothing but good things to say about me. The only reason I had the opportunity to throw at the Top Prospect Games was because of Dylan Hefflinger giving my name to Chris to have me invited to the Games. I would like to thank both of these wonderful guys for giving me the exposure I needed, I truly appreciate it.