SOSA Staff Report
WHEELERSBURG — Cole Ratcliff didn’t get the chance to end his high school baseball career the way he wanted to.
CREDIT: Facebook/Amy Evans Ratcliff
He, like many others, was forced to forego his senior year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But that doesn’t mean the Wheelersburg senior is done playing the game in the least bit.
This past week, Ratcliff chose to continue his academic and athletic careers at Kentucky Christian University.
“The reason for KCU is that I feel like it’s my beet fit. They need a pitcher that throws backwards and my utility ability will help the team in the long run,” Ratcliff said. “I’d like to thank my parents, my family, my teammates, [former Wheelersburg] coach [Michael] Estep and coach [Matt] Conn for all of the help. Without them, none of this would have been possible.”
As a junior, Ratcliff hit .414 with five doubles, 19 runs scored and 20 RBIs while helping the Pirates win a share of the SOC II title and reach a district championship game. Like he mentioned, he was a jack of all trades in the field, filling in wherever Wheelersburg may have needed him.
On the hill, he pieced together a 4-2 record in 26 innings of work alongside 24 strikeouts and a 2.96 ERA.
He hopes those numbers translate to the collegiate ranks as he starts his career as a Knight.
KCU, which plays in the Appalachian Athletic Conference, is a team that went 7-7 before ending their season early. That’s a huge difference from the 2019 season, where they finished 6-24.
As the Knights prepare to continue that improving trend, they’ll do so with Ratcliff on their roster.
“I’m just looking forward to playing the game I love and the game I’ve played since I was two years old,” Ratcliff said. “To be a collegiate baseball player means the world. It’s been a dream of mine to play in college like my dad and my mom. I’m carrying on the family’s tradition.”