Uncertainty For Armsey Ends At USC-Upstate

AKRON - Jake Armsey thought his college future was decided. But when Bowling Green eliminated its baseball program in early May, the Walsh Jesuit 2021 had a decision to make.

“After BG shut down I reached out to a lot of programs and USC-Upstate was one of them,” Armsey related. “I had talked way before to USC. After the Future Games they were one of the teams that reached out.

“I sent them a lot of videos and my mom and I went down and checked out the campus. We loved it. It all started at the Future Games.”

Admittedly, when Bowling Green reinstated the baseball program it brought uncertainty for the 11th-rated shortstop in Ohio’s 2021 class.

“Bowling Green was still an option,” explained Armsey, who is believed to be the only player in his recruiting class at the Mid-American Conference school to not return. “My parents didn’t feel comfortable. The uncertainty could happen again … it could happen anywhere. We just felt we needed to look at other options. They gave me a timeline and I didn’t take it.”

Other schools entered the picture, including an offer from Youngstown State.

“I reached out to southern schools, Radford and High Point,” Armsey noted. “There was also Penn State and I talked to Eastern Michigan a little bit. I tried to reach out to schools I thought might be interested.”

But USC-Upstate, a member of the Big South Conference, proved to be to the liking of the 39th-ranked incoming senior in Ohio.

“I mainly talked to coach (Adam) Brown, he was really nice,” Armsey said about the recruiting coordinator and associate head coach who just completed his first year at USC-Upstate. “When it came down to the commitment, he got me a hold of the head coach (Mike McGuire, the first-year mentor who led the Spartans to a 13-5 record, the first winning season since 2012). They were really accommodating to the situation.”

Admittedly, distance to the school located in Spartanburg, S.C.brought some apprehension.

“My mom’s main concern was it was so far from home,” Armsey said about the eight-plus hour travel time from Akron to USC-Upstate. “But she wants to watch me play in the south, so they’re all okay with it. I’m sure it will be a struggle at first, but after a while we’ll adapt. It’s a good fit and something we want to do.”

What Armsey did not want to be part of was a second recruiting process.

“This time was more stressful,” Armsey explained. “Videos can only do and show so much. Fortunately, last year was one of the best seasons I had and I got video out as much as I could. But with rosters expanding and rule changes, it was all really stressful. The first time was stressful enough. I’m just glad this worked out the way it did. Having an opportunity is what I’m most grateful for no matter the drive.”

Telling the decision to Bowling Green added to the difficulty the 5-11 180-pound shortstop endured.

“That was the toughest thing I’ve ever had to do,” Armsey said of letting Bowling Green know he was not returning. “I loved it there. I drew a bond with coach (Kyle) Hallock (the new head coach at BG) and to tell him I was not coming back was hard. I struggled to get the words out. He told me if it doesn’t work out, reach out to him, but he understood.”

There was also the matter of telling a future teammate.

“I’m good friends with Peyton Wilson and I talked to him about it a lot,” Armsey said in reference to the 2020 New London graduate. “Once I told him I wasn’t going back he understood and wished me the best.”

Now Armsey looks forward to a future playing baseball in the south.

“Versatility is the biggest thing I think I can bring,” Armsey related. “This summer I’ve played every infield position. In college I can play infield or outfield at any time, whatever helps us win. I’ve got the will to win and will do whatever it takes. I don’t like to lose.”

USC-Upstate sees a lot to like in Armsey.

“The Future Games is the only time they’ve seen me live, but versatility is the main thing,” said Armsey, a 3.5 student looking at a major in sport management and minor in business. “They like my hit tool as well. I’m the leadoff hitter for my summer team and bat three-hole for high school. They also like that I’m a winner. Going to Walsh and playing in the summer with Release, we’re always winning. They like that about me.”