In an announcement on Sunday, senior Ty Gielczyk became the next committed Big Rapids baseball player to play at the next level after posting his commitment to Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

“It's always been a dream of mine to play at the highest level possible,” Gielczyk said. “As I kept growing and getting older, I just kept realizing I can do this. I have a God given ability that he blessed me with.”

Gielczyk has helped Big Rapids win back-to-back outright CSAA baseball championships in his sophomore and junior seasons. He earned all-conference first team honors this past spring for his efforts on the mound with 2.04 ERA and almost 80 strikeouts as well as hitting .333 at the plate. The standout also had a key role in the inaugural summer season success for the local Post 98AA Rubberducks Legion baseball team as well as earned player of the game honors in the Michigan High School Fall Wood Bat League this fall.

The senior said he is excited for his final season on the hardwood coming up, but even more excited for one more season in a Cardinal baseball uniform. 

“Since third fourth grade, all summer and spring would be spent with my friends playing baseball. When (the) season rolls around, I'm gonna enjoy my last season with a lot of my friends that I played baseball with.”

Out of many schools that gave Gielczyk an opportunity, he picked the Cougars due to the closer feel to home, affordable schooling, and the feel for ideal team culture.

“I went on campus, talked to the coaches, and everything just felt right to me. I honestly could have decided before I left, but I wanted to talk with my parents. They truly showed how much they wanted me there, and it just felt right.”

Gielczyk also said baseball has been his favorite sport growing up. He will now suit up to fulfil a childhood dream this fall for the Cougars, who finished 33-16 last year and reached the Region XII Division II Baseball Championship. Gielczyk said he will be considering playing beyond his two years at the school, hoping to transfer up to a four-year institution following his sophomore season.