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Defiance's Tyler Burgoon doing it right on the mound at Michigan

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By TY GUILLIAM

Special to The Crescent-News

Defiance High School 2007 graduate Tyler Burgoon had his best outing at the University of Michigan over the weekend, coming on in relief in the first inning of a 3-2 loss to Ohio State to throw five shutout innings allowing just three hits.

To date, Burgoon has pitched in 14 games with a 1-0 record, throwing 27 innings and allowing 28 hits, 14 runs and 12 walks with 23 strikeouts and a 4.67 ERA.

The Wolverines rebounded to post a 15-1 win over the Buckeyes on Sunday, improving to 34-11 overall and 20-4 in the Big 10. Following Sunday's victory, former Crescent-News sportswriter Ty Guilliam sat down Burgoon for a question and answer session.

Q: What has been the biggest difference between high school baseball and Division I college baseball?

A: In high school, there are a lot of great players. Some teams would have one or two and the good teams would have more. In college, there are great players all over the place. The pitching is phenomenal and the hitters are all solid with great averages.

Q: How are your college practices different from practices at DHS?

A: The practices here are a little longer than high school. Also, we split into groups by positions and everybody is doing something different. You are consistently busy and doing something.

Q: Michigan is known as an outstanding athletic school as well as an outstanding academic school. You just finished your second semester and with your travel with baseball, how tough has that been with your classes?

A: The classes are going really well. In high school, I was able to get by with very little studying. Here at Michigan it is a lot more work than high school. I really hit the books a lot and am very busy during the season with baseball games and practices and classes. I plan to be a physical therapist.

Q: You were recruited as a catcher but are playing as a pitcher. Why the switch?

A: In the fall and the beginning of the season I was mostly catching. After our spring trip, they put me to the pitching position and the coach said I would not catch the rest of this year. At this point, the plan is for me to remain as a pitcher for next year as well.

Q: What are your plans for this summer?

A: After our season, I will be playing for the Lima Locos in the wooden bat league.

Q: Do you have a conditioning program for the off-season?

A: Yes. In the off-season we lift three times a week. It's really hard and it's heavy weights for muscle building. During the season, it's a lot lighter and a lot of toning and stretching.

Q: You have played a lot of games this year and have seen a lot of facilities - which stand out?

A: Two - Penn State has a great field and this spring we got to play in Port St. Lucie where the New York Mets have their spring training facility. That place was awesome.

Q: The current DHS varsity baseball team is ranked No. 1 in the state and is getting ready for tournament play. Looking back, what advice would you have for them?

A: First of all, looking back at high school you take a lot for granted. Boy, do I miss playing in those games. Once you are in the tournament you tend to try to do too much. I would advise the guys to play within themselves and they should do just fine. They will realize all the hard work they do throughout the year will pay off.

Q: Do you still keep in touch with members of the Bulldogs team?

A: Yes - I talk to the seniors a lot and I see them when I come home. I talk to coach Held at least once a week either by phone or e-mail.

Q: Once you go away from high school to college, you are now out there by yourself. Where has your support come from?

A: My family has been super for me, both my mom and dad have been great. Mom and dad try to make all the games as they try to juggle their work schedules. Even though they know I probably won't be playing in most of the games since I have been pitching in relief, they still come and not only support me, but the entire team.