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Michael Mitchell, OF, Novi HS, Class of 2015

PBR: Why did you choose Hillsdale?

Mitchell: The academics at Hillsdale has always interested me. Some of my relatives have gone to Hillsdale and they've told me great things. I also like the smaller classroom sizes because it seem much more personal and more productive than big lecture halls. From a baseball standpoint, the coaches are great and the outfield situation seems like a perfect fit for me.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Mitchell: I was briefly considering Albion along with Kalamazoo at one point but Hillsdale has been my number one choice ever since they started to show an interest in me.

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

Mitchell: They first saw me play at a Grosse Pointe showcase this past summer and then they invited me to a showcase at Hillsdale. After that we started communicating more and more and they set up an official visit for me this past September. Ever since then, we've been emailing and calling each other on a regular basis.

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

Mitchell: The coaching staff expects me to learn from the starting outfielders that will all be seniors next year and even fight for a starting spot in the outfield as a freshman.

PBR:  What are you individual and team goals for this spring?

Mitchell: Individual wise, I want to build off of last year’s high school season and grow as a player as much as I can before I get to Hillsdale. Our main team goal is to win districts again and fight to win regionals. 

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

Mitchell: My dad. He's the one who introduced me to baseball and has been my most influential coach both as a player and as a person through the years. 

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer and what was your most exciting experience playing summer ball?

Mitchell: Next summer I will be playing for the Oakland Reds. This past summer I played for the Michigan Bulls and the most exciting memory from the season was winning the USSSA Firecracker Classic.

PBR: What were your stats last season?

Mitchell: .414 BA, .531 OBP, 48 Hits, 45 Runs, 12 Doubles, 4 Triples, 148 PA/4 K's 

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher you have faced?

Mitchell: Shayne Dooley, he pitched against my team this past summer and he has the best curveball I've ever faced and his fastball has a tremendous amount of whip to it.