PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Hauser: My goal for my recruiting process was to be as good of a player as I could be. I wanted to be good enough where schools would come find me. College program wise, I was open to anything and everything. I was looking for a college where I could develop a lot as a player and as a person along with giving me a challenge. I was also looking for a place where it felt like another home to me and all of my teammates had a common goal.

P: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

H: Absolutely. I wanted to get away from Wisconsin and see what other places and states were like. I would like to train/play baseball outside year round.

P: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

H: It started heating up in February my Junior year. I hit 90 mph off the bump and was very active on Twitter. I posted videos of bullpens and in game highlights whenever I could. That’s where Coach Rea from Cowley first originally saw and reached out to me.

P: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

H: They’re really good at baseball. Also, I felt like after tearing my UCL and getting Tommy John surgery in June, going the Juco route would be my best option to bet on myself after rehab.

P: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

H: On the bump, I remember the first batter of last years high school season, facing MIF Garrett Hietpas (Appleton North, 2023; Northern Colorado commit). He battled against me every single pitch, fouling off every single pitch in the first AB and after 8 or so pitches later, drawing a walk even after being down 0-2. The next at-bat, same thing, just battled every pitch and ended up getting a knock off of me after I hung a slider. He's a tough opponent for punishing pitchers mistakes and being a tough out no matter what the count is. Also during the high school season, I got to face RHP Thomas Burns (Hortonville, 2023; Arizona State commit), this time hitting. His off-speed pitches are filthy and his mechanics/arm slot are very repeatable so it's hard to distinguish which pitch is coming.

P: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

H: I started taking baseball seriously when I tried out for Rhino and made the team when I was 11. I loved playing baseball so I took it pretty seriously when I got the chance to practice year round. We even moved from Neenah to Appleton just to get closer to Rhino so I could go in every day. I never had a moment of when I realized I could play in college, I kind of expected that for myself.

P: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

H: Fall in love with doing the little things.

P: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

H: Probably making the Rhino team when I was 11. It changed my life.

P: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from?

H: First skill I would steal is from OF/1B Cole Dornfeld (Appleton West, 2023). Dude is really strong. Looks very intimidating and it was nice not having to face him. If he squares up a ball, it's going a long way. I really like RHP Isaac Milhaupt's (Appleton West, 2022) curveball, it drops a lot and it breaks very late. He can throw it for his out pitch and for strikes. I also wish I had C Evan Olson's (Appleton East, 2022; Ripon) general baseball knowledge and feel for the game. Absolutely loved him catching for me during the high school and club season. He set up hitters really well and actually knew how all my pitches move and when we should throw them. Excellent teammate, gets along with everyone. If I was a hitter, I would want OF Alex Hanneman's (Appleton East, 2023; Saint Mary's University of Minnesota commit) raw power. His swing looks so easy and effortless.

P: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?

A: At Rhino, we got a lot of guys who work very hard and get after it everyday. They don’t go thru the motions and always get something out of every lift, training session, bullpen, whatever it is they’re working on that day so I would keep an eye out for everyone there.

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