50949_WKBW_7_Problem_Solvers_658x90.png

Actions

Christian Young dominating on the hill for NCCC

Posted at 2:37 PM, May 27, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-27 19:46:01-04

It's been a whirlwind year for Niagara County Community College's Christian Young.

"It's a unique story that you rarely see," Head Coach Matt Clingersmith said.

After graduating from Frontier in 2014, the pitcher decided to step away from the diamond.

"At the time, coming out of high school my senior year, I personally didn't think I was mentally ready for the school aspect and physically ready for the baseball.  Throughout that year off, I took that time to really better myself," he said.  "I've been told by multiple people like, I'm a good ball player.  I knew I couldn't let that go."

So, Young returned to school, enrolling at NCCC.  He admits he didn't even know if he'd make the Thunderwolves roster.

"I just thought of it as a fun leisure thing right after school and it's been pretty chaotic but fun," he added.

Young has transformed himself, going from a righty that throws in the mid-80s to a dominant ace whose fastball has been clocked as high as 95, catching the eye of Major League Baseball scouts.

"It's impressive to see a guy you know who was almost out of baseball, coming in throwing 92," teammate Matt Matre added.

Now, in two weeks, the righty could hear his named called in the MLB draft.

"I'm just happy for that kid and a chance to play pro ball is every kid's dream and now he has an opportunity," Clingersmith added.

"It's crazy. Just a year ago I was working at Tops not even thinking about what I would be doing here," Young said.  "I'm just here to have fun and play baseball, and for it to become a career is mind-blowing. It's awesome."

Young is 9-0 this year with a 1.72 ERA.