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RHP Mike Owens Commits to Roanoke College

January 2, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Mike OwensMike Owens was one of the highest ranked pitchers remaining unsigned in the PA Class of 2013. That all changed last week when Owens committed to play his college baseball for Roanoke College and coach Matt McGuire. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound RHP from Pope John Paul II HS sits 83-86 with command of his complimentary pitches and is ranked No. 44 in the PA Class of 2013. Prep Baseball report spoke with Owens about the recruiting process and his decision to attend Roanoke College.

PBR:  Where have you decided to attend college and why did you make this choice?

Owens: I've decided to attend Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. I chose to attend there because I really liked the athletic facilities and I loved the campus. Coach McGuire and Coach Wood are great guys and I think I will really enjoy playing for them and working with them.

PBR:  What other schools were you considering?

Owens: I was also considering Saint John Fisher College, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, George Mason University, Neumann University and Lackawanna College.

PBR:  Was distance from home a factor in your decision?

Owens: Distance wasn't really a factor. I really wanted to play in a warmer state.

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

Owens: Coach McGuire saw me at a tournament in Richmond, Virginia this past July when I was playing for the EvoShield Canes.

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

Owens: They expect me to compete for a good amount of innings my freshman year.

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

Owens: I grew up as one of the harder throwing kids around, but I needed to realize that it's not all about the velocity. Recently, I learned what kind of good can happen from just pounding the zone and not worrying about anything else. I can definitely help my team by just being the guy who pounds the zone and works fast. 

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

Owens: This past summer I played for the Mid-Atlantic EvoShield Canes under head coach Mike Capaldi. My most memorable experience from the summer is when we went to Diamond Nation and made it to the final 8 out of over 100 teams.

PBR:  What is your current GPA?

Owens: My current GPA is a 3.2.

PBR:  Now that you have your commitment out of the way, what are your goals both individually and for the team going into your senior season?

Owens: I'm always working to keep my arm healthy and to gain strength and some velocity. The weight room is a big part of this game now and I'm continuing to work hard in there. I want us to win a PAC-10 championship and keep going in districts. We have a lot of talented kids and it should be a fun year.

PBR: How did Prep Baseball Report aid you in gaining exposure as a potential college baseball recruit?

Owens: PBR helped me out by just getting my name out there and it was nice to have my name thrown around with some big name players from around this area.

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