WADSWORTH - A college coaching change can have a major effect on the recruiting scene.

Bobby Perebzak believed it to be the case for him with Ohio University. Adding to the concern, the Walsh Jesuit incoming senior took the summer off from pitching.

Yet, somehow the sixth-rated 2021 left-handed pitcher in the state found a home at OU.

“They saw me initially at the Future Games,” Perebzak said about the PBR event in August of 2019. “That’s when I started talking with CJ Wamsley, before he moved to Detroit (Tigers).”

Then came a call from the new staff.

“I was about to play a round of 18 with some friend when I got a call from Ohio U,” Perebzak reflected. “Mitch Mormann (recruiting coordinator/pitching coach) contacted me in early-to-mid-August, I guess my name was still in their recruiting list, and said your name is on our radar and they need a left-handed pitcher. He said this would be a good spot for me.

“I talked to my parents and we were interested,” Perebzak continued. “The following week they had an offer and I committed.”

Admittedly, the 5-11 185-pounder was surprised by it all.

“I’m not sure what they saw, I wasn’t pitching all summer protecting my arm,” Perebzak related. “Coach Mormann had me send them video of me throwing inside. I was only throwing 83-85 (he had previously topped at 87) but he liked what he saw.”

Not bad for playing just corner outfield and designated hitter during the summer.

“I had pain in my arm,” Perebzak explained about the caution being taken. “I got an MRI and there was no tear in the labrum, I just needed time off from throwing.”

The Mid-American Conference school is happy to have Perebzak as part of the program.

“They like how I’m that guy that can get outs,” the third-ranked uncommitted 2021 at the time of his decision to go to OU said. “I’m just a dealer.”

Schooling played a big part in choosing Ohio University over Kent State, which offered Perebzak after the 2019 Future Games.

“Kent State didn’t have a strong engineering program and OU has that,” pointed out Perebzak. “I also like the location. It’s still in Ohio, but it’s three hours away from my house. When we play Toledo, Akron and Bowling Green my parents can still come watch me.”

Perebzak believes he will be a major part of the program once arriving at the Athens campus.

“I feel I can be the one or two starting pitcher Friday night as a freshman,” Perebzak said.

Confidence is something that has grown over the years for the 17-year-old.

“I didn’t really have confidence being a pitcher until 13U,” Perebzak admitted. “We were in Kentucky playing a Georgia All-Star team and I started pitching well. That’s when I began thinking I’m pretty good at this.”

Now there is a strong belief in his game.

“I just have that mindset that I'm better than you and I’m gonna get you out no matter who you are or where you’re committed,,” Perebzak said.

There is still the need to continually improve, however.

“Hitting my spots with my offspeed is the biggest thing I need to improve upon,” Perebzak noted. “My fastball I can throw where I want it to go.”

Perebzak is now just happy to be going where he wants to go, especially with the uncertainty this year has brought.

“I was a little worried not being committed,” Perebzak said. “I was also worried when they called and said they would see what they could do for a scholarship. They ended up saying they had money for me and that’s what surprised me the most.”

It brings relief for Perebzak along with his family and coaches knowing that the recruiting process has come to an end.

“I didn’t know what to expect at the beginning,” Perebzak said. “After my junior year on Sept. 1 when colleges could contact you it opened up more doors, but when covid hit the doors closed and there was no interest in 2021s. Then when OU called I thought it was the right move to make and I took it.”