EDMONTON, Alberta - The more Michael Yusypchuk talked with the coaches at Missouri State the more the St. Francis Xavier junior felt at home.

“I went on a second tournament with Team Canada to Georgia and their recruiting coach liked what he saw,” Yusypchuk reflected about his initial meeting with Joey Hawkins, the associate head coach with the Bears. “We kept chatting and I loved everything I was hearing. Then I talked to the pitching coach (Nick Petree) and I decided to commit.”

Yusypchuk found plenty to admire about the coaches as well as the program at the Missouri Valley Conference school.

“As soon as I started talking to them they were easy to talk to,” Yusypchuk explained. “They have a real family there and it seemed like something I wanted to be a part of. They have unbelievable facilities and they’re very successful. They won the conference and went to regionals last year.”

The coaches at Missouri State, which has made five NCAA appearances in the past decade, see the 6-1 175-pound right-handed pitcher a good fit for the program.

“They like my frame and how I move on the mound,” Yusypchuk noted. “One of the big things is I have a four-pitch arsenal and can utilize any of them when needed. They like that and that I can throw them for strikes.”

Now 16 years of age, Yusypchuk is thrilled to be committed to play at the next level.

“It’s always been a dream to come to the states and play college baseball,” Yusypchuk related. “As I got older it became more realistic and my lone goal. It’s truly a dream to commit.”

PBR had a major role in the recruiting process that ended in a commitment with Missouri State.

“I went to several PBR events, the Junior Future Games last year and more this year and I loved them,” Yusypchuk said. “Once I started talking with the recruiting coach we kept talking every few days and he’d provide me with more info. Once it got to the point where there were no more questions, I thought it was a great fit and decided to commit.”

Yusypchuk also gave credit to his brother, Andrew, for playing a key part in his recruitment.

“He’s three years older and has gone through the recruiting process already,” Yusypchuk pointed out about the 2021 high school graduate now at Chandler Gilbert Community College. “He’s currently trying to go from JUCO to a four-year college. I had the ability to sit back and watch and learn from him. If I had questions, he knew the answer.”

To be committed is, admittedly, an awesome feeling according to Yusypchuk

“It’s very cool to be able to commit to a school where I feel I’m a great fit, where I like all of the coaches,” Yusypchuk said. “It’s always been a dream to commit to a school down south and play Division I and this is a dream come true.”

Yusypchuk, who is going on a visit to the school this fall, is confident that he has a lot he can provide the Missouri State baseball program.

“I’m someone who, hopefully, can come in as a freshman, work hard and make an impact right away,” Yusypchuk explained. “I’m a guy who throws strikes, trusts the sequence and goes from there.”

A 4.0 student in high school, Yusypchuk is yet uncertain about a college major while looking ahead with excitement about what will soon unfold at his new home.

“Everyone always talks about college being the best time of their life,” Yusypchuk said. “I can’t wait to experience that while playing baseball at a high level and getting better every day.”