Bowling Green Bound

Canton left-handed pitcher Delapaz signs to play baseball for MAC champ Falcons

BY ED WRIGHT
Nov. 23, 2009, 12:10 p.m.

  When you compile a 19-3 record your first three years of high school baseball like Canton's Kevin Delapaz has, the question isn't if you are going to play Division 1 college baseball, it's where are you going to play.

  Delapaz answered that question Nov. 11 when he signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Bowling Green State University, the two-time defending regular-season champions of the Mid-American Conference.

  A starting pitcher and center fielder, Delapaz has played an instrumental role in the Chiefs' back-to-back District titles in 2008 and 2009. He registered a minuscule 1.29 earned run average this past spring.

  "One of the first things I noticed about Kevin is that he's mature and he knows how to pitch; he knows what he wants to do out there," said Bowling Green pitching coach Rick Blanc. "He's able to execute all three of his pitches and he's very savvy. At this level, you have to know how to pitch -- you just can't go out there and throw -- and Kevin definitely knows how to pitch."

  "We're delighted to be able to add a pitcher of Kevin's ability to the Bowling Green program," said Bowling Green head coach Danny Schmitz. "Signing a left-handed pitcher with his ability fills one of our major needs. We were looking for someone who can come in right away next year and start pitching on conference weekends."

  The demand for Delapaz's skills was high as Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Michigan State, Northwood and Wayne State were also in the recruiting mix.

  "I really liked Bowling Green's coaching staff and the message they sent when they were recruiting me," said Delapaz, who racked up a 19-4 record as the Chiefs' starting quarterback the past two falls. "I have a friend -- Jeremy Shay -- who I've played baseball with since I was 10 years old who is going to play at Bowling Green, too."

  A solid senior season will solidify Delapaz's place among the all-time best pitchers in Canton history.

  "Obviously, Kevin is a great pitcher who has done a lot for our program the past three years," said Canton baseball coach Mark Blomshield. "He's won every big game we've needed him to win the past two years."