DEXTER - Evan Krolewski viewed COVID-19 as “missed opportunities” when it came to baseball.

“My recruitment started late,” said the Dexter senior, who missed all of his junior year of high school baseball due to the shutdown from the virus. “I talked with Central (Michigan) but not a lot got going with them and Wayne State was interested.”

However, Oakland then came into the picture.

“They saw me playing and I had a solid game and a couple weeks later I started talking to (head) coach (Jordan) Banfield and the coaching staff,” the second-ranked 2021 third baseman in Michigan reflected. “He wanted to see more footage and said after that they’d contact me and see how I’m doing.”

Interest from the coach proved to be one of the selling points about Oakland in helping Krolewski make a college decision.

“From a coach perspective, Banfield stood out,” Krolewski noted. “He would text and call to see how I’m doing and that really stuck out.”

There was more that the 18-year-old admired about the Horizon League school.

“I’ve been on campus a couple of times and played there in a tournament once,” Krolewski said. “I liked how everything was spread out and not too crowded which I kind of enjoy.”

Oakland took a liking to what the 58th-rated senior in the state displayed on film.

“I showed I had speed and good power as a speedy guy,” the 5-10 185-pounder said. “I’m able to cover a lot of the field and the coaches also said they like seeing me get around the bases.”

An offer followed a month later.

“I sat on it for a couple weeks before I called and said I’m ready to sign up and roll,” Krolewski said.

Improvement has helped the cause in becoming a Division I college player.

“I’ve worked a lot this offseason on hitting the inside pitch,” Krolewski related. “When it gets closer to the season I will be working on arm strength.”

A strong work ethic is something that Krolewski believes he can bring to the Oakland program.

“Off the field I don’t stop working,” Krolewski pointed out. “I’m a big weight lifter. In my free time I’m in the gym working out. On the field I have a competitive nature pushing my teammates and, hopefully, the whole team will click and then be more competitive.”

The thought of playing baseball at the next level started in middle school for Krolewski.

“It was more challenging than the other sports and I like that challenge,” explained Krolewski, who just completed his final season on the gridiron at Dexter. “By my sophomore year it started to become realistic after my high school coach told me I can play at a high level if I kept working for it.”

Krolewski pointed to a number of vital people in his baseball journey.

“My parents are the ones that put me through lessons growing up,” Krolewski related. “My dad has done a lot with me working on the tee. Then there’s my high school coach Mike Penn who not only pushed me and helped with my development, but also helped with the recruiting process.

“My travel coach Alex Trojan is another. He was a baseball guy at Wayne State and also played third base. He took me under his wing and broke down the footwork and hand work to help me incorporate that.”

Plans are for Krolewski to come in as a third baseman.

“If changes need to be made they will,” noted Krolewski, who runs a 6.76 time in the 60 with an exit velo of 93.

A 3.0 student, Krolewski’s plans are to major in business followed by law school with a focus on being an intellectual and property lawyer. But there will be a lot of baseball before that time comes for Krolewski, who is excited to be going off to school an hour from home.

“Once I accepted and signed it was a big relief,” Krolewski admitted. “Now I’ve got that part of my future planned. What a stress reliever.”

As for what he is looking forward to most when it comes to Oakland, Krolewski did not hesitate.

“Baseball,” Krolewski related. “I don’t have to worry about playing any other sport when I get there. It will be baseball, school and weight lifting.”