Hauenstein 'Can't Wait To Be A Buckeye'

POWELL - An injury at the outset of the summer season had Drew Hauenstein concerned about what he might miss.

“The doctor wasn’t sure if I’d be able to pitch in the Junior Future Games,” the 14-year-old reflected. “I thought I could do it, but might be limited.”

The 6-3 175-pound southpaw ended up throwing four no-hit innings at the prestigious PBR event in Georgia at the beginning of August after taking time off to heal a UCL injury.

“It was crazy,” Hauenstein explained. “I was a little nervous, but not super nervous. I’d been hurt and hadn’t been pitching, so if I did bad I’d get it. I just told myself don’t think and just pitch, and it turned out pretty well.”

College coaches watching were certainly impressed.

“The night after I got a call from Ohio State and they said they wanted me,” the Olentangy Liberty freshman related. “The day after, Missouri also called and wanted me. I thought about it for six weeks.”

It was at that point when Hauenstein went to a camp at OSU.

“I saw everything there and it was amazing,” Hauenstein explained. “Both of my parents went there and it’s a great school for academics. Even though Ohio State hasn’t had a good record in baseball recently, I think this coaching staff will do it.”

A visit to Tennessee also took place before a decision was made.

“Ohio State was my top two with Tennessee, and I decided to roll with Ohio State,” the left-hander said. “Missouri was a little too far. I wanted to stay within five hours.”

While Missouri had strong interest in Hauenstein prior to the Junior Future Games, Ohio State had too much going for it in the eyes of one of the top 2026 prospects around.

“They have nice facilities, good academics, a good campus and a really good new coaching staff,” Hauenstein pointed out about OSU.

It brought an end to a quick recruiting process.

“I wasn’t thinking about colleges before this year,” Hauenstein admitted. “I never thought I’d be thinking about it before going into ninth grade.”

As it turned out, the timing was perfect to make a commitment.

“I feel I’ve already got two top-tier schools looking at me,” Hauenstein explained about making a decision four months before turning 15. “I didn’t want to lose Ohio State and Missouri if I waited too long. I was thinking every day, do I want to commit now. Nobody my age was committing. But once I went to the camp and saw how the new coaches worked and saw some of the players there, I thought that’s where I wanted to go to school.”

Hauenstein gave credit to Olentangy Liberty head coach Ty Brenning, PBR Ohio Director of Scouting Jordan Chiero, Bo Jackson coaches Brandon Szink and Jimmy Onate, long-time pitching coach Brian King and current pitching coach Chris Carden along with his father, Dustin, and mother, Kristin, with helping make him the player and person he is today.

Ohio State saw a lot to like about the young southpaw, who is also a standout first baseman and left-handed hitter.

“They said when I pitch I look effortless, that I don’t look like I’m trying to throw the ball hard every pitch,” Hauenstein noted. “They like my arm angle, that I’m a lefty and that I have a lot of athleticism in me.”

A 3.8 student undecided on a college major at this early point of high school, Hauenstein is thrilled to become a Buckeye.

“It was very exciting to make a commitment,” Hauenstein concluded. “We were all shaking. Dad and mom were smiling and even my two brothers were. They were really supportive of me. I can’t wait to be a Buckeye and have family at Ohio State games.”