Ben Spitznagel, INF, Colerain HS, Class of 2013

PBR: Why did you choose Dakota Wesleyan?

Spitznagel: I really liked the baseball team, program and coaching staff. Coach Fisher really recruited me hard and he is a real good guy and good baseball guy. I also liked the campus and facilities. They also offered a nice financial package.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Spitznagel: There were two other Universities which I was seriously considering. Walsh University and Carson Newman University.

PBR: Where did the coaches first see you? How did your relationship develop with their coaching staff?

Spitznagel: You Tube Video from my sophomore year. Coach Fisher contacted me by twitter and then we talked almost every day.

PBR:  Dakota Wesleyan is in South Dakota, how much of a factor did distance play in your final decision?

Spitznagel: Distance was the biggest obstacle because of how far away it is and because my family likes to watch me play. But my family and I loved everything about Dakota Wesleyan and my family supported my final decision.

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus?

Spitznagel: The coaches expect me to be a leader, work hard, and be an impact player form the start. I will be contending for the starting shortstop position since the current starter is a senior this year.

PBR: What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that you will help their baseball program?

Spitznagel: Hitting. I hit for average, steal bases and score a lot of runs.

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer and what was the most memorable experience from this summer?

Spitznagel: Cincinnati Riverbats. Last season I was injured with a stress fracture in my back and I only played the last two tournaments. The first tournament in Columbus I remember reaching base 11 out of the my first 14 at bats. I remember how good it felt just to be back on the baseball diamond.

PBR: What were your stats for last spring season at Colerain?

Spitznagel:I was out most of my Junior year with a back injury. I tried to come back and play some games in the middle of the Colerain season but the pain was too much. My sophomore year I played the whole season and I batted 550 avg.

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher that you have faced in Ohio?

Spitznagel: Michael Conrad form Lakota East (Freshman at Cincinnati).