A major all-around winner in our eyes, LHP Vincent Gohlke (New Berlin West) turned a productive all-around year into a top-40 spot on our 2022 rankings and an eventual commitment to perennial Horizon League contender Illinois-Chicago. Gohlke helped lead the Vikings to one of their more competitive seasons to date, earning All-Conference honors in the process, and impressed our staff on the mound in multiple showings throughout the year. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound southpaw has been up to 89 mph with his fastball in previous looks and has greatly improved command of a slider with sweepish horizontal action to it.

We had the chance to discuss the recruiting process with Gohlke, his favorite baseball memory, and several other interesting topics about him both on and off the field.

LATEST SCOUTING REPORT

OUR Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Gohlke: My expectations for the recruiting process were pretty limited. I wasn’t completely sure what to expect when it all began. What I was most looking for in a college program was one of winningness and drive to be better everyday, I feel like these traits match up with my personal traits very well. I also wanted a college that was as invested in me as I was in them and I felt like UIC really made me feel wanted and welcomed to their program.

P: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

G: As I furthered my recruiting process, location and distance of home became more of a factor for me personally. I realized that I wanted to stay relatively close to home, however, far enough to where I could have a true college experience away from home, if that makes sense. I think Chicago is a really good distance from home because I could honestly come home on any given day or weekend to see my family and friends, family is very important to me and I feel like if I went to college further away I may have regretted it.

P: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

G: The recruiting process really heated up for me just this past summer (2021). Unfortunately, I had undergone Tommy John surgery in August of 2020, thus, putting me out of baseball for almost 8 months, and out of pitching for almost a year. Once I had gotten back to pitching this summer is when the recruiting process really started to ramp up. UIC first saw me play at the PBR Tournament at the Rock in late July of 2021.

P: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

G: What I like most about UICs baseball program is the culture. Being a UIC baseball player truly feels like being part of a family. I really feel that the way the program carries itself really fits who I am as a person. Their focuses are hard work and teamwork, which they and I believe can lead to a lot of success, their overall morals really appealed to me as a baseball player. Ever since my first visit to the college, I have felt welcomed by everyone in the UIC baseball program, starting with Coach Flood and Coach McDermott.

P: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

G: The few other schools on my shortlist were The University Of Milwaukee, University of Ohio, Creighton, Troy, Quincy, and a couple of junior colleges such as Lincoln Trail and McHenry CC.

P: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

G: The best player in my opinion that I have faced from my state and in my grade is INF/RHP Mitchell Voit (Whitefish Bay, 2022; Michigan). I faced him this summer in a PBR tournament actually where he was the starting pitcher. His command and stuff was crazy to me. He could command a very solid three pitch mix and his stuff was very deceiving from the batter's box. Not to mention, the guy can hit too!

P: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

G: I think the year I really realized that I was a college caliber player was the first practice of Winter/Spring of 2020. It was the first offseason that I really spent all of my time working to better myself with everything from weight training, to mobility, to just overall becoming a better athlete. That offseason really showed me how hard work pays off.

P: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

G: Work hard for what you want, don’t take too many days off and don’t be lazy. Another thing I would advise young baseball players is to ask advice from people older than you who are where you want to be someday. Sometimes you have to choose hard work over other things, which can be hard, but those are the hours that will separate you from the rest of the pack.

P: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

G: Of course, there has been so many great memories thus far throughout my baseball career, but the one that sticks out the most to me is my first game back pitching after Tommy John surgery. It was so fulfilling to know that all of my hard work had paid off and it made it even better than I was able to do it with some of my best friends and coaches by my side.

P: Preview New Berlin West’s season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

G: I think last spring, New Berlin West Baseball made a name for itself. We were an under the radar team who made some noise, however, we were not satisfied. This year, myself, along with many of my teammates have high expectations of our team and think we can truly do great things. We have some of the hardest working people I have ever met on our team. With the strong core we have, I truly think we can have a very successful 2021 spring season.

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