College Of Charleston 'Feels Like Home' To Benner

TERRACE PARK - Ever since going to a camp in January, Quinn Benner and College of Charleston pitching coach Will Dorton would talk each Monday. But that changed when the Mariemont junior participated in the Future Games in early August.

“I pitched on a Monday so I called them on Tuesday at 6 o’clock to make up for not calling on Monday,” related Benner.

It was a memorable phone call for the 12th-ranked uncommitted 2022 right-handed pitcher in the state, who received an offer from the Colonial Athletic Association program that evening.

“It was pretty special,” admitted Benner, who moved to Cincinnati from Charlotte, N.C. two years ago. “College of Charleston is my dream school. It’s been at the top of my list. I have family down there.”

The desire to go to school at the university in South Carolina was inspired from childhood.

“We used to go to Charleston for vacation,” Benner reflected. “It feels like home to me.”

There was another major reason Benner wanted to head south for college.

“In Charleston I can play baseball year ‘round,” Benner noted. “That was a big key.”

While Campbell, Central Florida and Wright State were other schools showing an interest in the 56th-ranked junior in Ohio, there was uncertainty in the spring.

“Nobody could see me because of covid,” Benner said.

But finally, the 6-2 165-pounder was able to show off his stuff to the College of Charleston at the PBR event in Pennsylvania.

“The Future Games was a huge thing for me,” Benner explained. ‘PBR put on a great showing. The games were televised and that was the moment Will Dorton was able to sit down and watch me with the rest of the staff. The next day they offered.”

Benner had an impressive outing pitching for Team Ohio.

“They like that I basically get the batters out,” Benner said. “They know they can go get pitchers throwing 95, but they like how I mix up my pitches and can come in with a change or curve and get batters out.

“I’ve been working with Kyle Hart in the offseason and that’s really helped,” added Benner in reference to the former pitcher with the Red Sox. “They know I’ll get more velocity.”

It is something already developing.

“Last year I was an average pitcher,” Benner admitted. “My velocity was 80-81 but I could throw strikes. In the offseason I focused on getting stronger and making pitches with Kyle Hart. Now I’m topping out at 87.”

Gaining weight and adding velocity are the goals ahead for Benner, who knew in advance how big of an opportunity it was to perform at the Future Games.

“I had to pitch against Michigan,” Benner pointed out. “They had some big boys and some good hitters. I just had to focus on getting batters out and not letting up any walks. Those were my main goals.

“Schools had been talking to me and I knew they’d be watching,” Benner continued. I just wanted to impress and show them what I can do.”

The 20th-rated 2022 RHP in Ohio, who is unsure of a college major but has an interest in architecture, believes he can benefit the C of C program .

“College of Charleston has some really good players and I know they can help me be a better pitcher,” Benner said. “The big thing I think I can do is help the program get wins. I feel I can make an impact there.”

Benner points to Hart, the Flames summer organization and his high school coaches as big influences in helping him get where he is in the game today.

“It feels good to know where I’m going to be,” Benner said of making a commitment. “The pressure’s taken off the shoulders and all the hard work has paid off. Now it’s time to get better.

“I loved the recruiting process with all the coaches reaching out to Flames coaches and my high school coaches,” Benner added. “Covid had a big impact on it all, but other than that it was a fun process.”