From Uncertainty To College Commitment For Heflin

Tyler Heflin RHP / Archbishop Moeller, OH / 2024

WEST CHESTER - In January Tyler Heflin had concerns about making his high school baseball team his junior year. Flash ahead seven months and the incoming senior at Moeller High School is now a Division I commit to Youngstown State.

“I was hurt in January and thought I may not have a spot on the team,” Heflin reflected. “But the coach at Moeller took a chance on me and my summer coach kept in contact with D-III schools. Then I went to the Top Prospect Games and things took off with D-II and D-I schools.”

It was at the state Final Four in Akron when Youngstown State made a connection with the 44th-ranked 2024 right-handed pitcher in Ohio.

“My assistant coach at Moeller, coach (Chris) Booth, reached out to the coach at Youngstown State,” Heflin related. “The day before state we had a practice and I went and saw the facilities and campus. We exchanged numbers and kept in contact.”

Soon after things heated up.

“When I went to the Top Prospect Games that sparked his interest,” Heflin noted. “He said to let me know my schedule and when he could see me more. I had a game at Thurman Munson Stadium after that and he saw me there and the head coach as well. A few days later they offered and had me on a visit. They were very patient.”

YSU was impressed with what the 6-0 185-pounder showed on the mound.

“What they like is how I take on challenges,” the 96th-rated senior in the state said. “The bases were loaded and I got out of it. They saw me as a competitor. They asked me what I looked for with pitches in an at-bat and they liked my mindset with how I try to compete and help my team win.”

Seton Hill was also a college consideration before Youngstown State became the school of choice for Heflin.

“It came down to a financial decision at Youngstown State,” Heflin explained. “They really liked me. It was a tough decision at first, but looking back it was a pretty easy decision.”

After all, Heflin saw a lot to like about YSU.

“They’re great people, coach (Dan) Bertolini and coach (Eric) Bunnell,” Heflin said in reference to the head coach and hitting coach, respectively. “They all have family.”

A commitment meant the end of a recruiting process that featured some struggles according to Heflin.

“Up until last October I was kind of on the fence,” Heflin said of playing at the next level or not. “I only recently decided this is what I want to do. I never really went to camps and it was really slow. I never heard back from coaches from emails. I was thinking if I don’t play, fine. But after the State Games in October, I started to get my first looks from D-III schools.

“That kept me working harder but I got hurt in the winter and couldn’t post anything. Then came the Top Prospect Games and coaches reached out. It was overwhelming.”

The 17-year-old pointed to a number of people responsible for making it all possible, including Tom Aspero, Chris booth, Tim Held, Kevin Manley, Dave Cydrus and Kellan Klosterman.

“Coach Aspero, my summer coach, was very supportive and my coaches at Moeller were also super supportive,” Heflin said. “Kellan Klosterman, my teammate at Moeller, also helped me with developing a profile and getting better as a pitcher.”

It all helped bring an uncertain baseball future to a college commitment.

“It was definitely a sigh of relief to commit,” Heflin said. “I appreciate all the people that reached out congratulating me. It took a lot of stress off me.”

Heflin, who carries a 3.7 GPA at Moeller and plans to major in business management at Youngstown State, looks ahead with anticipation to his days at the Horizon League school.

“I know Caleb Hadley who has committed there and I’m looking forward to more relationships I’ll build,” concluded Heflin. “I’m looking forward to bringing back another championship and maybe one day getting drafted.”