Nick Eltzroth, SS/RHP, Columbus DeSales HS

PBR: Why did you choose Ohio Northern?
Eltzroth: I only considered schools that offered engineering and I really liked Coach Stechschulte and his staff and what they are going to accomplish at ONU.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
Eltzroth: Rose-Hulman in Indiana and Case Western out of Cleveland.  I also liked Ohio Wesleyan but they don't offer engineering.

PBR:  Where did the coaching staff first see you compete?
Eltzroth:  I'm not sure I believe the assistant coach saw me play last season and I met Coach Stechschulte at the Miami Valley PBR showcase last fall.

PBR: What role does Coach Stechschulte expect you to play during your first year on campus
Eltzroth:  To come in and compete.  I know he wants to keep the program moving forward and I want to be a part of it whatever that may be.

PBR:  Coach Stechschulte is in his first year as coaching at ONU.  How does it feel to be a part of his first recruiting class?
Eltzroth:  Really good. I like his background as a student athlete and the importance he places on that.  He has also had success as a professional playing in the major leagues.  He has been successful at every stop in his career and I truly believe he will be at ONU.

PBR: What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that will help ONU?
Eltzroth: I would like to think I am a pretty good hitter and pitcher on a fairly competitive team that has had a decent amount of success.  I want to try to bring that same ability and attitude to ONU and have similar successes in the very competitive Ohio Athletic Conference.   

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?
Eltzroth:  My dad has been coaching me since the beginning and Coach Neubert has also had a big impact throughout my high school years.

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer and what was your most exciting experience playing summer ball?
Eltzroth:  North Columbus Bruins. I enjoy competing against some of the best teams in Ohio and the surrounding states during the summer.

PBR: What were your stats last season for DeSales?
Eltzroth: .396 batting average and 5 - 2 pitching record with 5 saves and we won the D2 State Championship.

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher you have faced in Ohio?
Eltzroth: I'm not sure about Ohio, but during spring break we faced a pitcher, Wil Crowe from a high school in Tennessee and he was still throwing 90 -91 in the 7th inning, we won the game 2 - 0.