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Wednesday, 04 June 2008 |
 Botkins’ Caleb Koch delivers a pitch against Houston in this May 15 file photo. (Staff photo/ Joshua Keeran)
BOTKINS — Caleb Koch, a Botkins High School graduate and former Trojan varsity baseball player, recently signed his national letter of intent to continue playing baseball at Urbana University in the fall.
“I feel that Urbana University is a great fit for me. One of the main reasons I chose Urbana is that they have a great education program there,” Koch said. “I feel that because I am going into education, I needed to find a school with a good program.
“I also feel Urbana is a good fit because of the coaching staff,” he said. Coach Goldschmidt is very knowledgeable about the game, and I like the direction the baseball program is going. I know coach is going to work me very hard, but I feel like I am up to the challenge of being a college baseball player.”
Koch takes a lot of experience with him to Urbana. He was a three-year starter for the Trojans.
During his high school career, Koch was used as a big-game pitcher and a middle infielder. Koch has been a big reason why the Trojans have had success this season and past seasons, rewriting records on the offensive side, which have stood for many years. He owns school records for most hits in a season (41) and is tied for most singles in a season with 30.
He has been part of a combined no-hitter (New Bremen in 2007) and has consistently pitched in big games and excelled, Botkins varsity coach Jason Smith said
“Caleb is the hardest working kid I have had the privilege of working with during my years at Botkins,” Smith said. His work ethic and determination is unmatched. “He is driven internally to be the best he can be.
“Urbana University is getting a quality kid that exhibits character, drive, and excellence that will serve him well in college and his future,” the Botkins coach said. “He is definitely the type of kid you want representing your program.”
Koch, an honor roll student at Botkins, was selected honorable mention All-Shelby County Athletic League in 2006, second team All-SCAL in 2007, and first team All-SCAL in 2008.
He has also been selected second team Miami Valley Baseball Coaches Association (MVBCA) infielder in 2007 and was selected first team MVBCA infield in 2008.
Urbana University competes in the American Mideast Conference. The Blue Knights are an NAIA Division II collegiate institution. Urbana University boasts a student enrollment of over 2,500 students. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 06 June 2008 )
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