Shelbyville's Kuhn finds right collegiate fit at Ohio Northern University

shelbyville-s-kuhn-finds-right-collegiate-fit-at-ohio-northern-university

The dream of playing college baseball was always there according to Brock Kuhn.

The Shelbyville senior made that dream a reality earlier this year when he signed his letter of intent to play baseball at Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio.

“That was honestly back when I was about three feet tall and playing baseball when I first started, just listening to my dad talk about stories of when he was in high school. I wanted to do this,” said Kuhn of when he realized he wanted to play beyond high school. “Probably when I was about 10 or 12, I said I wanted to go as long as I can. And watching college baseball games, it looks like so much fun.”

With that notion in his mind, Kuhn used a devoted work ethic to make his dream come true.

“Just hard work, staying up late, hitting off a tee when you can,” said Kuhn. “Just doing anything and everything you possibly can to get better each and every day. Having that mindset of what can I do today to get better? What can I do tomorrow to get better?”

Playing travel baseball for the Indiana Bulls got Kuhn noticed and a Division II school in Ohio showed the first interest. Ohio Northern (ONU) came along later in the process after scouting Kuhn in a showcase at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana.

“I could have done better on my part reaching out (to schools),” said Kuhn of the recruiting process. “The first school was a DII in Ohio. They texted me and said they were interested. ONU reached out kind of late because I kind of had my mind set on that DII school.”

Getting athletes on campus is a huge selling point for collegiate sports as Kuhn learned firsthand when he was invited to attend a camp in Ada.

“I went there and had a lot of fun so I scheduled a visit,” recalled Kuhn. “After the visit, I knew it was going to be a tough decision.”

What Kuhn found was a competitive Division III baseball program that offered the educational track he wanted to pursue.

“The main thing was the schooling,” said Kuhn. “Their Electrical Engineering program is pretty good. It is a lot better than the other (DII) school I was looking at. I want to go more for school and for the baseball part. The schooling part pushed it ahead.”

Ohio Northern recently completed its 119th season of baseball with a 24-17 record overall and an 11-7 record in the Ohio Athletic Conference which earned the Polar Bears a postseason berth.

Shelbyville’s starting shortstop stated Ohio Northern is looking for Kuhn to secure an infield position in the fall when he arrives on campus.

“I just have to go out there and compete and do my best and time will tell,” said Kuhn.

Before Kuhn can start focusing on his freshman year of college, there is work to do at Barnett Field in the Sectional 14 tournament. The Golden Bears’ debut tonight at home in game two of the semifinal round against Columbus East.

Kuhn enters the postseason hitting .289 with four doubles, two triples and a team-high 22 RBI.

“It’s been a heck of a senior year for sure,” said Kuhn. “We are hoping to go out with a bang here. These guys are awesome. They come in everyday and are joking around. The bonds you make are awesome. I will definitely miss high school baseball for sure.”

Kuhn worked his college dream into reality. Now, the ultimate goal of playing baseball professionally is in the back of his mind.

“That is always the dream for sure,” he said with a smile. “It is still a dream.”

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