SOUTHFIELD - An offer came before COVID-19 hit.

However, due to the coronavirus the tender was withdrawn.

“It was kind of a blow but I understood,” Trey Lipsey said of the financial decision made at the time by Ohio State. “It just motivated me to work harder and prove them wrong.”

When a re-offer from the Big 10 school was presented early in July, the top-ranked uncommitted 2021 in Michigan was not going to let it slip away.

“I was really excited knowing they wanted to give me an offer and could see me playing at their school,” noted the Birmingham Groves incoming senior. “It’s always been my dream school to go to, I’ve always been a fan of the school. I have family from Columbus and my dad is from Ohio.”

A visit to the university last fall is memorable for the 14th-rated player in Michigan’s 2021 class.

“I took a visit to Ohio State before the virus which helped,” Lipsey admitted about his college decision. “I wasn’t able to do that with some of the other schools. I saw the campus and the baseball field and the facilities and went to a football game which showed what the atmosphere was like there.”

Interest was heavy in Lipsey after last year’s Future Games, with offers eventually coming from schools such as Kent State, Toledo and Ball State.

“That was definitely one of the highlights of my recruitment,” Lipsey said about the PBR event. “It was cool to see schools come in and start talking to me. It motivates you to work harder so you can get more offers.”

However, the virus brought a setback to the process.

“They offered before Corona but then Corona came and they took the offer away,” the third-ranked outfielder in Michigan’s 2021 class said about Ohio State. “But after a few months they re-offered.”

A strong work ethic was exhibited by Lipsey during the time away from the diamond with no high-school baseball season in the spring.

“I did a lot of working on my speed and a lot of lifting,” the 6-1 175-pounder explained. “I finished each day hitting.

“It was a blessing in disguise,” Lipsey admitted. “I had more time than ever to work. I definitely think I got better with so much time to work on my game.” 

In the end, the decision came down to Ohio State and Kent State.

“I knew both programs really well, but Ohio State just kind of took the lead and became the school I wanted to go to,” Lipsey noted.

Playing collegiately has been a long-time goal for Lipsey, who turned 17 just prior to the virus hitting.

“I’ve always wanted to play college baseball and then get to the next level … the MLB,” Lipsey related. “This is the next step. But I couldn’t do this without my parents and coaches which helped get me where I am today.”

Ohio State sees in Lipsey a player that can benefit the program in a big way.

“They like that I’m a left-handed bat and that I’m quick in the outfield,” pointed out Lipsey, who ran a 6.52 time in the 60 at the Future Games last August.

That is just a small part of what Lipsey believes he can provide the Buckeyes.

“I bring a good left-handed bat, I’m able to track down balls and I can steal bases,” Lipsey said. “That’s my job … get on base and steal bases. I think I can do that.”

Bringing a close to the recruiting process is a relief for Lipsey, who has a 3.2 GPA and considering business as a potential college major.

“When Corona hit there was some uncertainty with what was going to happen,” Lipsey noted. “I’m just glad to be committed. It feels good knowing where I’m going to school. Now I can go to Ohio State and try to get drafted.”