Coldwater's Closson signs with Trine University baseball; Trine proves to be right fit for talented lead-off man

Legendary Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins once said “Hustle is just playing the game right.” Coldwater graduate and multi-letter winner Joseph Closson should have that quote stitched on a pillow as the words from Rollins perfectly summed up Closson’s four year career as a member of the Coldwater Cardinal baseball team. Thanks to that hustle, his drive, his work ethic and his determination Closson is far from done on the diamond, having recently signed his letter of intent to play baseball at Trine University.

“I chose Trine University because of the family atmosphere they showed when I visited,” said Closson. “We met with the coaches and I just felt like I would be a good fit and a good add to the team they already have in place there. They are building something really good there and it just felt like the right place. We visited other places, like Cornerstone University and Spring Arbor, but in the end Trine just proved to be the better fit for me. I looked at academics and what the colleges had to offer and although baseball as a huge factor for me in my decision, in the end I chose where I thought could prepare me to succeed after baseball.”

Closson will be making the relatively short trip south to Angola to join a Trine club that finished the 21-22 season with an overall record of 14-23, including a 9-12 record in the conference. In Closson the Thunder are getting one of the most well rounded athletes to come through the Coldwater baseball program in a number of years, as Closson is a three sport starter, lettering in soccer, basketball and baseball, while also earning All Conference honors in both soccer and baseball in addition to being a part of an Interstate 8 Conference Champion in all three sports.

Closson earned Interstate 8 All Conference First Team honors at two different positions this past season for the conference champion Cardinals, serving as a key member of the infield and on the mound as well as serving as the leadoff hitter for a very potent Coldwater offense.

Closson finished off the 2022 season having played in all 34 games for the Cardinals, ending the year with a batting average of .292 at the plate, recording 31 hits in 106 at-bats. Of those 31 hits Closson knocked out 27 singles, three doubles, and one triple with 15 RBIs and 30 runs scored. Closson also managed to draw nine walks to put together an on base percentage of .333 and an OPS of .673. Closson was also a monster on the base paths, stealing a team high 22 total bases while only being caught once.

On defense Closson played all over the infield and proved to be one of the most reliable defenders the Cardinals had all season long. Closson recorded 42 put outs and 35 assists in 87 total chances for a fielding percentage of .885.

The multi-talented senior was also one of the most dominant relief pitchers in the state of Michigan, let alone in the Interstate 8 conference. Closson appeared in 19 games on the mound for Coldwater, pitching a total of 34 innings while allowing no earned runs throughout the year for an ERA of 0.00. Closson finished with an overall record of 2-2 on the season while recording a new CHS single season record eight saves in eight chances all while walking only five batters while striking out 53 opposing hitters.

Where Closson will end up at the next level is anyones guess, as a dominant relief arm is hard to find, however a steady leadoff hitter who can play any spot in the infield may be a little harder to discover.

“When I was talking with the Trine staff there was talk about me playing both middle infield and pitching when fall ball rolls around,” said Closson. “After that I guess we will see if I excel at one or the other, though I like to pitch a little better. That’s one thing I really need to work on is getting my velocity up on the mound, I throw pretty hard for high school but college is a different level. There is still a lot of work to do.”

If anyone is capable of making the transition to the college ranks successfully it will be Closson who has earned numerous honors for his work on and off the field. In 2022 alone Closson earned Interstate 8 All Conference First Team honors as both a pitcher and an infielder, while also earning MHSBCA All District honors as a pitcher. At the team level Closson was voted by his teammates as one of two recipients of the Most Valuable Pitcher Award, sharing the honor with classmate Nate Tappenden. Academically Closson earned Interstate 8 Academic All Conference and MHSBCA Academic All District awards for his work in the classroom.

Closson leaves Coldwater High School as one of the most decorated players in recent memory and will leave behind a tremendous legacy of hard work and dedication, on and off the field of play. Looking back on his four years of athletics, Closson reminisced about his senior year and all the memories. “My best memory is probably during my senior year here, winning the conference title in all three sports”

Trine University will be the new venue for Closson to make his memories and if history is any indication at all, good things are ahead for Thunder baseball.

Congratulations to Coldwater’s Joseph Closson on his decision to further his academic and athletic career at Trine University.

Get to Know Your Recruit

Name: Joseph Closson

School: Coldwater High School

College: Trine University

Major: Secondary Math Education with a Minor in Psychology with the intent on being a school physiologist

Favorite Food: Quesadillas

Favorite Dessert: Ice Cream

Favorite Movie: The Perfect Game

Favorite TV Show: ESPN

Hobbies: I like playing sand volleyball and volleyball with my family, just anything competitive.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Reporter: Coldwater's Closson signs with Trine University baseball