Cordonnier Looking To Be ‘The Best He Can Be’ At Marshall

Braylon Cordonnier 3B / 1B / Russia , OH / 2025

RUSSIA - With a family of baseball players it was only inevitable that Braylon Cordonnier would follow in their footsteps.

“My dad played baseball at St. Francis College, and my grandpa, Don Cordonnier, was drafted in 1971 in the 13th round by the Indians,” related the Russia High School junior. “They kind of set the way. I started realizing freshman year I can actually be good at baseball and decided to pursue the dream of college baseball. I wanted to continue after high school like they did.”

Mission accomplished for the fourth-rated 2025 third baseman in Ohio with a commitment to Marshall.

“They saw me at the state finals my freshman year when we won it and sophomore year when we were runners-up,” Cordonnier noted. “They also saw me a couple of times at Grand Park. We talked on Aug. 1.”

There was a visit and offer from Ohio University and talks with Wright State where Cordonnier went to a couple of camps, but then came a trip to Morgantown in early October.

“I fell in love with the place,” the 16-year-old said of Marshall. “I fell in love with the coach. Gregg Beemer, my head coach with the Classics, said he loved him when his son played for him and thinks he can help me with my hitting to be the best it can be.”

An offer came the weekend of Oct. 7-8 and the 6-3 185-pound corner infielder accepted at the end of the month.

“The coaching staff stood out,” Cordonnier said. “With all the new facilities there, I love that as well. They have an open field that I’ll be able to fit into and they have a couple open spots where I’d have a chance to play right away.”

Third and first base are likely positions for the 48th-ranked 2025 in the state, who isn’t ruling out pitching.

“I’m going to work with the Edison College head coach with my mechanics this winter and see how it goes,” Cordonnier said.

Marshall sees a big future ahead for the left-handed hitter.

“I still play three sports - golf, basketball and baseball - and they think after high school when I put all my time into baseball I can be a lot better,” Cordonnier explained. “They think I haven’t reached the surface of what I’m capable of doing.”

A commitment brings a close to a recruiting process that had its ups and downs.

“Some points were pretty enjoyable and some points were not as enjoyable,” the Russia junior admitted. “I made it to the state golf tournament and the next day, bright and early, I was going to a camp. It became a long couple of months. PBR helped me out, getting my name out and stats out to give coaches an idea of what I can be like.”

In addition to Beemer, Cordonnier credited Dayton Classics coach Terry Ables with being a big help in his baseball journey.

“He was always the one to get in my head, telling me if this is what I want to do later in life this is the time to outwork others,” Cordonnier said. 

Once a college decision became final there was a lot of happiness in the Cordonnier household.

“It felt nice to find a place I know I’ll be loved and will do everything in their power to make me the best I can be,” Cordonnier said. “Family members know the work I put in and Russia coach Kevin Phlipot knows the time I’ve put in. After the Classics’ coaches he was the first one I called.”

Undecided on a college major, Cordonnier, who carries a 4.0 GPA at Russia, is confident about what he can bring to the Sun Belt Conference university, located 31/2 hours from home.

“Offense,” Cordonnier stated point blank about what he can provide the Marshall program. “I want to be a staple as a corner infielder and also bring more life to the offense of the team.”

There is a lot more to look forward to when it comes to playing at the next level.

“The better competition,” Cordonnier concluded about what he’s ready to see with Division I baseball. “It will also be great being with other guys wanting to put in the time and work. That will help me be the best I can be.”