The 2022 Ocean State Waves, of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, have a roster full of top collegiate baseball talent from some of the best college baseball programs in the USA. Players travel from all over the country, stay with host families, play in a highly competitive environment game after game in front of scouts and fans, and become a part of the Waves community from roughly the end of May/early June until sometime in August. This 2022 Waves team is absolutely stacked with baseball talent, take a look at this photo posted on the Ocean State Waves Instagram page. It showcases the college programs that will be represented this summer in the Waves dugout. Very impressive!!!

I am very excited to introduce you to these 2022 Ocean State Waves players, one at a time. This is the next installment of a long series of interviews I have done with the incoming players slated to play for the 2022 Ocean State Waves. The players answered questions on their baseball journey, their mentors and childhood baseball heroes, the process of going from top high school talent to collegiate student athlete, and what their expectations are for their Spring and Summer Baseball seasons. Next up, from Fairfield, OH and Marietta College, Infielder – Drew Holderbach.

Tell me a little bit about your baseball roots starting with your local Little League and then
possibly your AAU or travel ball. What was that experience like?

• I grew up near Cincinnati, Ohio playing travel ball. I started playing whenever I was able to pick up a bat and was coached by my dad the whole way growing up.

If you would like to, name some of your baseball and life mentors who helped you along the way.

• My biggest mentors as a player are my dad and my older brother. They have both helped me to become the player that I am today.

Did you have a favorite ballpark growing up that you played in or saw a game at?

• My favorite place that I’ve ever played a game at is Great American Ballpark, home of the Reds. My favorite place I’ve ever watched a game at is either Wrigley or Fenway.

What was your primary position in youth baseball, high school?

• Growing up I played a mix of 3^rd, shortstop, and second base. I play first base now.

Brag a little bit, what would you say was your best game? Could be a Little League game or High School game or something more recent.  What made this game stand out in your mind?

• My best game was last year in a big conference game for us. I went 4-5 with a double, home run and 7 RBI in a 7 inning game.

You are from Fairfield, Ohio and now attend Marietta College.  I’m fairly confident you received offers from schools outside of your home state.  What was it about the Marietta baseball program that interested you to play there?

• I chose Marietta because of the winning culture that the baseball program has. We have won 6 National championships, and are currently ranked 3^rd nationally with a goal of a 7^th national title.

Academically, where are you headed degree wise, and down the road maybe career wise?

• I am a physics major looking to pursue a job in engineering.

You are slated to play for the Ocean State Waves in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, one of the top summer baseball collegiate leagues in the country.  First off, congratulations.  What was your reaction to finding out you will be suiting up for the Waves this summer?

• I was very excited to find out I was going to be coming to Rhode Island to play for the Wave this summer. It’s a great league to be a part of and it is in a great place.

First thing that comes to mind when someone mentions “Rhode Island,” which happens to be the Ocean State. Second, do you plan on taking a surfing lesson when you arrive here this summer?

• I have never tried surfing, but I would love to try it at some point this summer.

This summer, you will be playing with and against some of the top collegiate baseball players each game for the Waves.  What do you think playing top competition will do to your game?

• I know there will be a lot of great players in this league so I am looking forward to playing the great competition every day to help elevate my own game.

Is this your first summer of collegiate baseball or did you play in previous summers?  If so, which league(s) and for what team(s)?

• Last summer I played in the Great Lakes League with the Sandusky Bay Ice Haulers.

The Ocean State Waves have an incredible legacy of community service work with local youth baseball leagues, schools, and other local non-profits.  Can you give me an example of a non-profit or charity that you have done community service work for and why did you choose that charity?

• Our team at school has helped out at the local Boys and Girls club. I think that this is a great place to help grow connections with kids from the community, and also have fun while doing community service.

Where can Waves fans find you this upcoming collegiate baseball season at (insert your school) and follow you this Spring?

• Marietta College – Marietta College Baseball Schedule
• Instagram – drewholderbach
• Twitter – @drewholderbach

And stay tuned each week for another Waves roster player profile and as always, any Waves news and notes to keep you up to date on their 2022 summer baseball season.

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