Chandler Stahl, RHP, Manchester HS, Class of 2014

PBR: Why did you choose Malone? 

Stahl: I like coach crank and I like the program.  They compete and I felt a connection on my visit. It is also 25-30 minutes from my home so friends and family can still see me play, and that is important to me.

PBR: What other schools were you considering? 

Stahl:  I was sure a year ago I was going to Penn State.  Then there was a coaching change, and I realized I didn’t want to be that far away from home. I was down to Malone, Ashland, Mount Union, and Akron.

PBR: Where did the coaches first see you? How did your relationship develop with the coaching staff? 

Stahl: they saw me in a sectional game last year. They actually called my mom first, and she was just graduating from there in December.  Then they called my dad and then they called me.  I didn’t plan on making a visit, but they kept calling and showed they wanted me and I visited and that was it!

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus? 
Stahl: I told them I want to be the closer.  they told me to come and work hard and they are playing the guys who are putting the work in – and every coach from every school I talked to told me they need pitching, so I am hoping to help contribute my first year wherever they need me.

PBR:  You recently attended a PBR event and showcased very well.  How did performance help you in the recruiting process?

Stahl:  coaches saw my video and once I hit 85 and above I started getting calls and emails.  Between the PBR showcases and guidance from Coach Kaczmar from Walsh Jesuit I suddenly had a lot of coaches contacting me. 

PBR: What summer team do you play on and how has travel baseball helped your development as a player? 

Stahl: Ohio Thunder. You have to play travel ball if you want the best competition.  It is the only way you will get to the next level.

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player? 

Stahl: my dad would be first, as a coach and in guiding me.  Ian Dunn was my first travel coach and he didn’t let me slack.  He knew I could be good, he convinced me of it, and he never backed down and wouldn’t let me either. Other coaches like Brian Jones and Paul Popovich as travel coaches, too.

PBR: What were your stats for this spring season at Manchester? 

Stahl: I hit .375 last year and hit over .300 as a freshman and sophomore.  I have lettered all three years so far.  I threw a no-hitter in the wishes-can-happen game last year and struck out 16.  I had three wins and two saves and struck out 42 in 24 innings.

PBR: Who is the best hitter in Ohio that you have ever faced? 

Stahl: Mitch Keim and Jake Krupar (a righty and a lefty)