AMHERST - Josh Qualls did his best to keep a bright outlook as an uncommitted senior.

“I wouldn’t say nervous, but I was a little anxious to see when it would come and coaches would start talking,” the Amherst Steele 2021 said. “I felt wherever I’d go it had to be the right fit, but knew something positive would come my way. I just tried to stay positive.”

Eventually, it all worked out for the 15th-rated senior shortstop in Ohio with a commitment to Kent State.

“I first got in touch with Kent my sophomore year when I went to a camp there and played well,” Qualls reflected. “They liked my abilities and wanted to see how I progressed from there.”

But the opportunity to be seen in person did not happen in 2020, so the focus turned to improvement.

“Everything completely stopped with covid,” Qualls said of his recruitment. “It was really hard to work out more, but I just found a way. I practiced whenever I could and worked on developing my swing and getting more physical. Without a high school season there was an opportunity to develop more physical-wise. I was able to fine tune my defense, footwork and arm strength and get stronger as well.”

Still, for a time period few noticed.

“There were no coaches watching during summer ball, but then some interest picked up in the winter,” Qualls said.

That is when all the hard work paid off and a connection with Kent State returned.

“I went to a winter PBR with Force Ohio and after the showcase PBR and Jordan (Chiero, Director of Scouting in the state) reached out and my summer coach said he started seeing interest from them,” Qualls related about Kent. “We had conversations for a couple weeks. They said they like my game and that they felt I’d be a perfect fit.”

Progress had certainly been made since attending the Kent State camp as a sophomore.

“They said I’d definitely gotten more physical over the years,” Qualls noted. “They like my defensive ability and said the way I move impressed them. They feel they can develop me and make me better.”

Until the recent interest from the Mid-American Conference school, the 68th-ranked 2021 in the state was weighing other options.

“There were some JUCOs I was talking with, so I was thinking of maybe going down south,” Qualls said. “Wright State showed interest and also some Division II programs in Ohio.”

But Kent State proved to be what the 17-year-old was looking for in a school and baseball program.

“I really like the coaching staff,” Qualls pointed out. “I feel I can go there and develop my game and understand it better. It’s a good program and I’ve always wanted to go play good baseball at a Division I school.

“PBR really helped with an opportunity to reach out to them,” Qualls added. “I don’t expect I’d be going there without PBR.”

Qualls admits there was comfort when a commitment finally came.

“What a huge relief not having to worry about it during the season and worry about the numbers I’m putting up,” Qualls noted. “I can just go out and play. What a relief for my family and coaches after all the work I’ve put in.”

The 5-9 160-pounder, who carries a 2.7 GPA and plans to major in business, now turns his attention to getting better.

“I’m looking forward to making adjustments when I get there,” Qualls said. “I’m going to be working on building my body, making use of the facilities they have and being ready when the time comes.”