Ohio University 'A Natural Fit' For Landtiser

Colton Landtiser RHP / 3B / Pickerington Central, OH / 2025

PICKERINGTON - “OU was always in the picture” when it came to a future home for Colton Landtiser.

That picture has become even more clear now after the Pickerington Central sophomore made a commitment to Ohio University.

“I had a couple of other D-I offers, but OU just checked all the boxes,” the ninth-rated 2025 right-handed pitcher in Ohio explained. “It was a natural fit with four family alumni.”

A connection with the Mid-American Conference school in Athens began this school year.

“I went to a camp there in the fall and coach (Tim) Brown, the pitching coach, really showed an interest while I was doing bullpens,” Landtiser reflected. “He told me to stay after and once the camp finished I talked to him for about an hour. He said he wanted to start the recruiting process with me. We talked weekly about what he sees in me and me in OU, and we also talked about finances.”

Things heated up a month ago when an offer was presented.

“It’s an hour away and I want to stay close to home,” Landtiser reasoned about what made Ohio U the right choice. “They really invest in their players and I want to take my time and develop there and get drafted. He’s a down-to-earth coach that’s really invested in how I’m doing and in developing me, even right now.”

There was more that made Ohio University perfect in the eyes of the 28th-ranked sophomore in the state.

“They love my pitching but they also see me as a two-way that can play the field and hit,” noted Landister, with third base a possible position when not on the mound. “That definitely helped me even more in making my decision. I’m not sure if I’ll be a PO or a two-way, but to be a two-way now is something I’m very proud of. I can be an athlete on the field.”

The idea of playing at the next level has been ongoing according to the 16-year-old.

“I’ve always dreamed about going D-I and getting drafted,” Landtiser related. “OU has always been a D-I college that I wanted to look at. I went to their baseball games when I was younger and it’s a place I’ve been around since I was growing up.”

While his recruitment had its difficulties, a commitment to a Division I school eventually became a reality.

“It was a love-and-hate relationship with all the weekly calls,” Landtiser explained about his recruiting process. “I was nervous at first, but after I started having calls with coach Brown it didn’t feel like a chore. He was someone that I wanted to spend four years with after high school.”

Getting strong exposure was vital in making a connection with OU.

“The first time I was noticed by colleges was when I posted on Twitter about hitting 86,” Landtiser said. “It got 15-20 K views and then coaches started talking to me after that. PBR also helped me out a lot. I went to a Bo Jackson camp in the winter and met a lot of guys I played against in the high school season. Throwing at that helped get my name out there.”

An improved game also proved important on the baseball journey to a college commitment.

“Coach John Pyles helped me become an athlete the last two or three years,” the 6-1 181-pounder related. “I’m the player and athlete I am today because of him.

“I also started working with my pitching coach, Andrew Westbrook, and went from 70-74 to 84-86 in a couple of years. That really helped my recruitment.”

When the decision to go to OU became official, Landtiser was more than pleased.

“It’s a really good feeling, I’m really proud of myself,” Landister said. “Making my family proud to go to a good baseball program and a good academic school is a great feeling.”

Landtiser, who carries a 4.0 GPA at Pickerington Central and plans to major in kinesiology at Ohio University, is confident he can make a major impact in the MAC baseball program.

“I think I can bring them a lot,” Landtiser pointed out. “I'm a good teammate, even if I’m not pitching or playing. This year I’ve been pitching complete games and as I get older and develop it will be the same thing, me doing something good for the team to help them win.”

There is more than the idea of potential success on the ballfield that brings excitement to Landtiser about his future.

“I’m looking forward to getting my degree, really getting into those subjects and being in that college program,” Landtiser concluded. “To go to a D-I program for college baseball will be a super fun experience that not everyone gets to enjoy. I’m super fortunate to do that for such a good program and I look forward to them helping me be the best player I can be.”