Q&A with Coastal Carolina Commit: Cole Schaefer, RHP, Portage Central

PBR: Congrats on committing to Coastal Carolina. Why did you choose them?
Schaefer: I chose Coastal Carolina because it was on my list of dream schools to attend to for baseball. When I recieved my first call and email from them I couldnt believe it. Also the connection i had with pitching coach, Drew Thomas, just felt right. i have heard nothing but great things about him and he lead the Chants to one of the lowest team era's in the nation. Also whats not to love about myrtle beach? The location was just a little perk that came with it.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
Schaefer: I was also considering University of Michigan, Western Michigan, and Xavier University.

PBR: How does it feel to be a Division 1 baseball player?
Schaefer: It feels great! I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity and hopefully its just another stepping stone with my baseball career.

PBR: Was distance from home a factor in your decision?
Schaefer: The distance from home was not that much of a factor. If anything it helped out a little bit being so far away from home in warmer weather and playing against southern baseball competition. 


PBR: Where did the coaches first see you? How did your relationship develop with their coaching staff?
Schaefer: I was first noticed by Coach Joe Hastings, literally 10 minutes after he had accepted the recruiting coordinator job at Coastal.  He was at a showcase held at Notre Dame. I happened to have had a great showcase and he reported back to Coach Thomas and everything from there fell into place. My relationship with Coach Thomas became pretty strong as we exchange emails and multiple phone calls . Then i started having phone calls with Head Coach Gary Gilmore and both relationships grew as i took a few visits.

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus?
Schaefer: My first year on campus the coaches see me being a weekday starter.  Eventually at the end of the year or sophomore year, challenging for a weekend spot.

PBR: What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that will help your team?
Schaefer: I would say that I'm always in the game even if Iam not pitching. I'm always one of the first out of the dugout to congratulate people or after we just got done playing defense. But from a pitching stand point, I have a good two seam fastball and change up that gets a lot of ground balls, so this will help me contribute to the low team era and pitching rotation


PBR: Who do you play for in the summer and what was your most memorable experience from this past summer?
Schaefer: I play for the Kalamazoo Maroons 18u. The most memorable moment was probably going down to georgia for Perfect Game and place 5th out of 164 teams.

PBR: Who is the toughest player you have faced in Michigan?
Schaefer: I would have to say my summer teammate Jake Bivens. Playing him in high school, the kid just never strikes out. He's always putting the ball in play or getting hits off of you.

PBR: Now that you have your commitment out of the way, what are your goals both individually and for the team going into your senior season?
Schaefer: Individually: I want to continue to increase velo, tighten up my curveball, as well as perfect hitting my spots.
Team: We want to put another good run together at a state title and win our conference.