Perkins Sees Akron As The Perfect Fit

CAMBRIDGE - Sean Perkins believed college basketball was in his future. But that changed a little more than a year ago.

“I always wanted to play basketball in college but then I started leaning toward baseball when I saw my potential,” the Cambridge senior reflected. “I made a big jump from freshman to sophomore year of high school. I only played four games as a freshman but as a sophomore I was one of the main pitchers on our team. I was 7-1 with a low ERA. I knew after that what I wanted to do.”

Mount Union, Ohio Northern and Capitol were interested in the 27th-rated 2021 right-handed pitcher in the state, with Dayton also in the mix. But things changed in late summer.

“Akron saw me through a PBR event, the 2021 Games, at the end of August and reached out,” Perkins noted. “Coach (Connor) Faix called late one night which was pretty unexpected. I started talking with him more and the next thing I was talking with (associated head) coach (Cory) Mee. It picked up a week later with coach (Chris) Sabo.”

Talks were starting to become serious at that point.

“He said he didn’t talk to any recruits that he didn’t want on the team,” Perkins said about Sabo, the head coach of the Zips. “That felt good.”

A week later a commitment to the Mid-American Conference school was made.

“They like how athletic I look on the mound and how comfortable I look throwing,” Perkins related. “They said I have a lot of upside and they’re excited to work with me as a pitcher.”

Perkins impressed at the PBR 2021 Games showcase.

“One of, if not the top arm we saw on the day,” PBR wrote on the profile page of Perkins. “Nightmare matchup for hitters from the right side.”

The 87th-ranked senior in Ohio is excited at what he can provide the program at Akron.

“I think I bring a different look on the mound with my sidearm delivery,” the 6-4 180-pounder said. “I believe I can help the program get a few wins.”

An academic tour of the school, which is located a little more than an hour away from his home in Cambridge, helped in the final decision.

“The campus was super nice,” Perkins said. “I watched a practice and everything looked organized and was running fluidly. It just looked good.”

Staying near home is a bonus.

“It helps my parents to stay centralized,” Perkins explained. “I have a brother in Columbus, so it’s great for my family all around.”

Perkins, who turned 18 in August, is delighted to be part of a program that was recently resurrected.

“I really like the excitement of the coaches,” Perkins noted. “There wasn’t one main factor in going there except the coaches who were excited to be starting something new. I’m excited to be part of a program with so much potential in the future.”

Perkins pointed to a large group of individuals that have played major roles in helping him become a Division I college commit.

“I owe a lot of my game to my high school coach and two coaches that helped me growing up,” Perkins said. “Jamaal Lowery has really given me an opportunity to test my ability and perform on the mound. He was a big part of my recruitment reaching out to colleges and kind of jump-starting it.

“John Valentine was one of my coaches in multiple sports I played on when I was younger. He got me on the mound for the first time in Little League when I was age 10. Up until then I’d been a shortstop except for being a catcher in coach-pitch. I’d never thought of pitching but I threw a no-hitter the first time I pitched and I’ve been pitching since.

“Chris Clarkston has been the closest thing I’ve had to a pitching coach,” Perkins continued. “He has words of wisdom to fix stuff on the mound and stuck with me, helping my 13 and 14 years.”

A 3.8 student that plans to major in exercise science, Perkins is happy to be committed as the fall of senior year begins turning to winter.

“It was super stressful for me,” Perkins said of the recruiting process. “Nothing against the OAC, but when Akron reached out I thought I was made for that level. There was a feeling of relief.

“Now I’m excited to start a new chapter. It feels great to know what I’m going to be doing in my future.”