Elmwood baseball’s Tyson signs with Toledo

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JERRY CITY — Elmwood senior Adam Tyson is taking the next step in his baseball career.
Tyson signed his official NCAA national letter of intent with the University of Toledo on Wednesday, the
first day for prospective college athletes to sign.
“I just can’t explain it right now. There are very few guys who get to do this. I’m just happy I’m one of
them to be able to play at the next level of college baseball,” Tyson said. “It’s been my goal for a
while, since I was a little kid. Baseball was my favorite so it’s kind of a dream come true.”
Tyson, who signed with the Rockets as a pitcher, was surrounded by a large contingent of his family as
well as friends and Elmwood baseball coach Kyle Reiser as he signed.
“It’s something that every kid when they’re little wants to play baseball at another level,” Reiser said.
“This is a another big step and it’s something that he’s always wanted and worked for.”
In 912?3 innings pitched in his career at Elmwood, Tyson has complied a record of 9-5 with a 3.89
earned-run average. He’s averaged over a strikeout per inning with 113 total, and has also recorded four
saves.
With his athletic frame (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) Tyson has a fastball that is consistently in the
mid-to-upper 80’s to go along with a solid curveball and an improving changeup.
“I’m just looking to go in and do as well as I can and whatever comes out of that comes out,” Tyson said.
“I’m going to go in and work hard and do whatever I can.
“They want me to come in and contribute a little bit,” he added. “Hopefully maybe pitch some and see what
happens.”
Tyson also plays first and third base for Elmwood. He batted .373 with 21 runs batted in and compiled an
on-base percentage of .489 last season as a junior.
Tyson is a thee-sport athlete, as he also plays football and basketball. His ability to focus strictly on
baseball once he gets to Toledo should be beneficial, according to Reiser.
“When you’re a three-sport athlete it’s hard to make gains with strength and flexibility,” Reiser said.
“You’re constantly tearing your body down and Adam has such a good athletic frame to him … I think
once he gets to Toledo and gets with their strength and conditioning people and has a general
off-season, I think you’re going to see him change.”
Toledo finished 24-30 overall and 14-12 in the Mid-American Conference last season. The Rockets advanced
to the MAC tournament final before losing to champion Kent State.
Tyson will be joining former Elmwood teammate Ben Hammer at Toledo, who is a sophomore pitcher/outfielder
for the Rockets.
“It will be a lot more comfortable when I go up there. I’ll know somebody. Getting used to it shouldn’t
be a problem,” Tyson said.
Tyson joins Hammer and the University of Findlay’s Nathan Fitch and Ryan Rothenbuhler as Elmwood baseball
players playing at the college level. Kyle Rhoad, also an Elmwood graduate, recently graduated from
Eastern Michigan and was drafted in June in the 33rd round of the Major League Baseball first-year
player draft by the Texas Rangers.
“It’s just nice to see kids’ dreams fulfilled,” Reiser said. “Every time something happens like that it’s
good for the program. The younger kids see it and say ‘This is possible.’ That’s what you’re looking
for.”
Tyson received a scholarship from Toledo but the percentage was not available.

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