Klingenbeck ready for big future with NKU

Kyle Klingenbeck RHP / 1B / Cincinnati Elder, OH / 2019

Once football season came to an end, Kyle Klingenbeck returned to the recruiting mode. A visit to Northern Kentucky took place the first Tuesday of December. An offer was made and three days later the 86th-rated 2019 in Ohio made a commitment.

“They care for their players,” Klingenbeck explained about his decision to head south to play for NKU. “They have all kinds of student advisors that make sure you put school first. I like that process.”

As for what stands out with the baseball program …

“I have a couple friends there playing baseball now that are undergrads,” the Elder junior said. “They talk about all the things they do there and it sounds like something I can really enjoy doing in the future.”

Playing baseball in college is something his father, Kevin, did at Wright State and uncle, Scott, did with Ohio State, reaching the College World Series before moving on to play in the minor leagues.

“It feels good to join them,” Klingenbeck admitted. “You look up to them your whole life and wonder how they did it to get there. To do it feels great.”

Interest from Northern Kentucky began during last high school season.

“They saw me pitch against Moeller in the regional semifinals at UC and stayed in contact with my head coach Mark Thompson,” the 31st-rated 2019 right-handed pitcher in the state said. “A week or two after football season they asked me to come on a visit.

“In the summer I played at their field five or six times, so they saw me multiple times. I didn’t really talk to them, but they knew who I was.”