GREENVILLE – Tyler Beyke, a Greenville Senior High School 2020 alum was recently home spending time with family before heading into his senior season playing for the Trine University Thunder baseball program.
“I wanted to come back and visit with some family before we got into our games,” said Beyke. “We have our first game Saturday, February 24th so once that gets started it will be a while before I get back.”
“I am very thankful and blessed to have a very supportive family and friends,” he added. “It’s been great. These four years go by quickly so just trying to take it all in and enjoy it all as it’s going to go by quickly. Soon it will be time for the big boy world but I am excited for this season, to get after it.”
Beyke, the son of Jim and Michelle Beyke is studying to be a Civil Engineer and will once again be looking to play middle infield while bringing a good bat to the plate for Trine.
“I’ll probably be playing second base mostly but I can also go over to shortstop too,” said Beyke. “Right now it’s looking like I’ll be at second base and looking forward to it.”
“I’m not the guy that’s going to put the ball over the fence a whole lot but I like to say I’m more of a contact hitter, that guy who is going to put the ball in play, hit some line drives and move runners, get some bunts down,” added Beyke. “Try to do what my role is and help my team score some runs.”
The Trine baseball program looks to improve on a 15-24 season with many players returning from the 2023 season.
“We have a lot of guys returning, a lot of experience, we have a lot of our pitching staff back which is very good, we have our starters and we’re looking forward to it,” Beyke noted. “We have a good group of leaders, we have a really good bond as a team and we’re excited for the season.”
Beyke is rooming with Lebanon’s Jack Kletzley for the fourth consecutive year at Trine. Not only have the duo been teammates at Trine but were also teammates for the Greenville American Legion Post 130 baseball team.
“It has been a great experience over the past four years,” said Beyke. “We have roomed together all four years and he is also a Civil Engineer major so it has been great having someone there by my side, doing the same thing, going to the same classes, and going to practice. You don’t feel like you’re by yourself and having that relationship with those guys will last a lifetime. I’m grateful for those friendships that I have made over the years.”
With three college seasons down, Beyke has mixed emotions about the upcoming season.
“It’s kind of a bittersweet feeling for sure – it’s gone by quickly,” Beyke said. “It hasn’t fully settled in yet. When we get to that last series or when we have senior day after graduation it will settle in but trying to cherish the moments that I have. Not everybody is as blessed to be able to play the game at the next level.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunities that I have had and all the people that have helped me get to this point,” he added. “I am very thankful for that. It’s waking up each day, approaching everything with a good attitude, going into everything with a clear mind, being a good teammate, being a good guy out there on the field, helping my team win, and doing everything I can to make that happen.”
Following graduation, Beyke will be employed at Choice One Engineering in Sidney, OH.
“I did a co-op with them last summer, it was a great experience and I enjoyed it a lot,” Beyke said. “A great company that focuses on its people and its culture. I am very excited to get there because it’s a great company. It has been voted multiple times – one of the Best Private Civil Engineering firms to work for in the United States so it’s a great opportunity and I am looking forward to it.”
