Steven Calhoun, LHP, Tippecanoe HS, Class of 2013

PBR: Why did you choose Toledo?

Calhoun:  I was looking for a bigger school with a good pitching program. When I visited Toledo, met the coaches, and learned about the baseball program, I knew that was where I could become the best pitcher possible while getting a good education.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Calhoun: I didn't limit myself. I was looking at other Division I schools (mostly MAC), as well as Division II and III. I was looking for a great fit.

PBR: Where did the Coach Mee first see you? How did your relationship develop with their coaching staff?

Calhoun: I believe Coach Bradford was the first person to see me. I was at the Ed Santa camp. Coach McIntyre then saw me at a PBR event. My relationship developed with the coaching staff through phone calls and an official visit.

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus?

Calhoun: Coach Mee expects me to be a bullpen pitcher my freshman year, working my way into the starting lineup.  

PBR: Now that you have made your college decision, what are individual and team goals heading into this spring?

Calhoun: I want to continue to develop as a pitcher, improving my pitches and velocity. I'd like to add a cutter/slider and improve control on my curve. My high school and summer teams are both very talented and I expect those teams to do very well. 

PBR: What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that you will help Rocket baseball?

Calhoun: My biggest strength as a pitcher is that I've always been effective, even though I haven't thrown the hardest. I believe movement on my fastball and an effective change-up has always kept hitters off-balance. 

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer and what was the most memorable experience from this summer?

Calhoun: I played for the Dayton Classics 17U team. The CABA World Series, where we finished third, was my most memorable moment from the summer. I enjoyed playing for Coach Parker, Coach Marsh, and Coach Fowler, and getting to know a lot of really good baseball players from around the Miami Valley. This was my first year playing with the Classics, so I got to meet a lot of new people.

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact in your baseball career?

Calhoun: My dad has had the biggest impact on my baseball career. He taught me how to pitch and supported me ever since I was old enough to pick up a baseball.

PBR: What were your stats for last spring season at Tippecanoe?

Calhoun: I had a decent season last year pitching at Tippecanoe. I was 5-0, 38.2 innings, 60 Strikeouts, 0.54 ERA, and and a .364 batting avg. While I was mainly a pitcher, my most memorable moment was a two-run, walk-off single in District Finals.

PBR: Who is the toughest hitter that you have faced in Ohio?

Calhoun: I have pitched against and played with a lot of great hitters. I can't pick out one individual as the toughest hitter, but I know a lot of hitters who would be a tough out in a key situation. Fortunately, I will be playing with rather than against several of those hitters this spring and summer.