CALCUTTA - A recruiting process that “started pretty slow” heated up in late summer after Dominic Bouscher hit two home runs in Georgia while playing for Bo Jackson Elite.

Phone calls and visits accumulated before interest came from Northwestern back in October.

“I went there for a recruiting camp in November and we talked for two weeks,” the Toronto High School junior reflected. “Around Thanksgiving I took it.”

The ninth-ranked 2024 outfielder in Ohio was thankful with what he saw at the Big 10 university.

“They have a new coach, Jim Foster from Army,” Bouscher noted. “As soon as we met, and as soon as I got there, I could tell that I could see myself going there. Evanston is beautiful.”

Ohio University and Marshall were others being considered near the end of recruitment for Bouscher, who also took visits to Penn State and Indiana State and had interest from Bowling Green.

“Me and my family wrote down the pros and cons and Northwestern had the most pros and the best opportunities,” the 47th-rated junior in the state pointed out.

An improved game proved beneficial in becoming a Big 10 commit.

“I feel I’ve matured a lot,” Bouscher explained. “Hitting the weight room was a big part of it. I got a hitting coach recently and I’ve got that going again.”

The thought of playing college baseball began at an early age.

“I knew from the time I was seven-years-old,” Bouscher said. “That’s when I fell in love with the game and pictured myself playing at the highest level.”

It became realistic after transferring to Toronto freshman year of high school.

“They have a way better coach who has better connections,” Bouscher said in reference to Brian Perkins, who went to high school with his father at East Liverpool. “It was the best decision I ever made. He got me a tryout with Bo Jackson and I made the team. The first year I didn’t perform as well as I’d have liked, so in the offseason I trained and trained and trained to help get my name out there.

“Then this spring during the high school season I saw improvements which led into the summer. When I hit two home runs in Georgia at the end of summer that led to calls and offers after that.”

Northwestern saw a lot that stood out about Bouscher, a shortstop and pitcher in high school who plays outfield during the summer.

“They like my speed, I ran a 6.5 there,” Bouscher related. “They also like my bat. I just need to keep working on it to have success there.”

Admittedly, the recruiting process had a lot of ups and downs for Bouscher, who related that Northwestern said “they could see me starting in center field there” when the time comes.

“It was definitely a roller coaster of emotions,” noted Bouscher, who credited Bo Jackson coaches Cory Valentine and Woody Walker with playing major roles in his recruitment. “The dead period was the most stressful. But it was very exciting with a lot of emotions. Bo Jackson is unbelievable in getting you recruited. They got my name out there and put me in the best position to succeed.”

Family, friends and teammates are others that Bouscher recognized as important in finding a college home at Northwestern where the 6-1 160-pounder is confident about making big contributions to the Big 10 program.

“I’ll definitely bring them some intensity and speed,” Bouscher said. “I’m ready to get there and let’s go win.”

The idea of playing in the Big 10 while growing up in the midwest is undeniably exciting for the 17-year-old, who played cornerback and receiver on the Toronto football team this past season.

“I’m super happy to be given this opportunity to show everyone what I can do,” Bouscher explained. “I know I’ll be able to make it.”

A 4.0 high school student, Bouscher understands the challenges ahead at Northwestern.

“Going there is a great opportunity,” Bouscher said. “I know I’m not going to play forever, but I can get a good major there and get whatever job I want to do in the future.”

Plans are to major in business according to Bouscher, who is thrilled to have his recruitment at an end.

“It’s a big weight off my shoulders,” Bouscher related. “Now I can go out and just play the game. When I committed, it was one of the most emotional days ever. My family was with me and we were overwhelmed with emotion.”

The anticipation of being at Northwestern brings a hint of enthusiasm from Bouscher, a first-team all-state performer as a sophomore.

“I’m looking forward to just getting there to start and build relationships with all the other guys on the team,” Bouscher concluded. “I’m looking forward to getting to know them and getting ready to go out and win.”