WHITEHOUSE, Ohio — The Atlantic Coast Conference will play home to the final chapter of a northwest Ohio baseball standout's impressive college career.
After three seasons at the University of Toledo, senior Garret Pike decided to position himself toward a future in the MLB by transferring to a bigger school.
"Moving my game to the next level and playing against the highest competition possible," Pike, an outfielder, said.
On June 18, the ABCA/Rawlings Third Team All-American chose to play for the University of Louisville, a program that has tallied three straight 30-win campaigns.
The opportunity for Pike to make the jump came off his best year as a Rocket. He led UT with a .360 batting average, with 21 HR and 55 RBI. Pike's power slotted him into the Toledo record book after breaking the program mark for home runs in a season and career (42).
That aspect of the game derived during his time at Anthony Wayne High School, where he earned OHSAA Division I Player of the Year in 2021.
"I'd say it came around my senior year of high school, the first time I started hitting for power," Pike said. "Every year at Toledo it developed more and more as they worked with me and finetuned my swing into what was best."
It didn't take long for success to transition into college where he hit .344 with six home runs and 29 RBI as a freshman. A performance that led to the first of three All-MAC honors.
"My favorite home run was my freshman year at Toledo. It was in the MAC Tournament against Central Michigan," Pike said. "Top of the 9th inning, tied game, and I hit a solo home run to right field."
Although the star left-handed hitter is now playing more than 300 miles away from home, he continues to reflect back on his time in northwest Ohio.
"I've had a lot of great people help me along the way," Pike said. "They've all pushed me and I've kept moving up, now it's time for my next step."
Pike has one year of eligibility left as he'll suit up for the Louisville Cardinals in the spring of 2025.