Division I Dream Becomes Reality For Borer

Luke Borer RHP / SS / Perrysburg, OH / 2020

PERRYSBURG - Never give up on your dreams.

Luke Borer has had the aspiration to play Division I college baseball for some time. That dream has been fulfilled with a commitment to Ohio University.

But not without some bumps in the road.

“A year ago I was not sure I was going to play D-I baseball,” the Perrysburg incoming senior reflected. “Last year I was topping out at 85 which was good enough for college baseball but not outstanding enough for a lot of coaches.”

One expressed that to Borer at the time.

“I went to the ACME/Legion showcase and topped at 84 there,” Borer said about the PBR event in Defiance last July. “My 60 time was not great and my infield was not great. My numbers were not D-I quality numbers.

“I talked to a college coach and he said I was ‘not a D-I college player at this point.’ I took that to heart. It’s what really drove me.”

Hard work followed.

“From that point in time I put on 10 pounds,” noted the now 6-0 175-pounder. “I stayed the same height, I knew I had to work with the frame I had, but I needed to gain weight. I did meal preparation and early-morning workouts. I incorporated J-bands and weighted balls and I ended up adding five to six miles an hour. Those were the main things I’ve done to make sure I improved so that I was on the right path to success.”

The 54th-rated player in Ohio’s 2020 class understood what was needed at the next level.

“Right now I’m an above average high school player but not an above average college player,” pointed out Borer, a member of Bo Jackson Elite in the summer. “I play with guys as good as me. I know I need to get faster. If I want to be a Division I infielder or outfielder I need to improve all the way around.”

Interest from schools shot up when his numbers improved.