Located in: Sports
Posted on: March 17th, 2014 No Comments

Schoelkopf talks legacy, national championship


The life of a catcher is not the most glamorous position on the diamond.

Between squatting through at least nine innings and being fully padded from head to toe, being a catcher is the last thing most baseball players want. For Colton Schoelkopf, however, it’s the only thing he has ever known.

Since Schoelkopf began playing baseball at the age of four, he found his position behind the plate.

“Catching is such a different position than the others,” Schoelkopf said. “You are truly challenged physically and mentally on every play. You have to be ready for anything.”

While catchers may seem to go unnoticed by the casual baseball fan, Schoelkopf feels it is a very rewarding position.

“There’s no better feeling than being recognized as a good catcher,” Schoelkopf said. “You mainly get appreciation from the pitchers, but my teammates know the importance and challenges of a catcher, so being appreciated from my teammates is the best feeling.”

For those who have followed CMU baseball over the past four years, the number eight jersey is a familiar sight to see behind the opposing teams’ batters. Unfortunately, this is the last season for Schoelkopf.

“It’s a surreal feeling,” Schoelkopf said. “Baseball has been my life. Knowing this is the end, I really have been trying to step up and be a leader since I have been here for such a long time and have the experience.”

Schoelkopf grew up and played his high school ball in Centralia, Wash., where he helped the Bearcats of W.F. West High take home the State Championship. He committed to the Mavericks soon after. Schoelkopf contributed right away as a freshman for the Mavericks back in 2010, appearing in 49 games, starting 47, and earning ABCA All-Region Gold Glove Second Team honors. He also helped the Mavs win the RMAC Tournament and reach the NCAA Tournament.

The following season, Schoelkopf earned the same gold glove honor and got his name on the All-RMAC Third Team. Schoelkopf was placed on the pre-season All-RMAC team for the 2013 season, and the Mavs took home another RMAC title. Schoelkopf finished the season batting .326 with five doubles and 11 RBI.

With this being his final season, Schoelkopf said that the goals he set as a freshman have been attained, but one in particular is still up for grabs.

“A national championship,” Schoelkopf said. “That would truly be the icing on the cake for my career.”

While that may seem like a lofty goal, the Mavericks are in prime condition to do so. Currently ranked at the top of the RMAC, the Mavs are also ranked in the top three in the latest South Central Region poll, as well as in the top 25 nationally in both the Collegiate Baseball poll and the NCBWA poll. A team with an immense amount of talent, along with leadership from seniors such as Schoelkopf and Austin Kaiser, could be the formula to take home the national championship.

While the Mavs are right in the middle of RMAC play, they are off to a great start. At 14-3 overall and 9-1 in conference play, the Mavericks are looking to lock up yet another RMAC title. Until then, Schoelkopf plans on enjoying his final season with his teammates while leaving behind his own legacy at CMU.

“I just want to be remembered as a great catcher for a school with an excellent baseball tradition,” Schoelkopf said. “I also want to be remembered as a great teammate who worked hard every day, contributed for four years and helped this team win games and championships.”

kspharkhu@mavs.coloradomesa.edu

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