OHIO CITY, Oh - Since stepping on campus, Head Baseball Coach Brad Ganor and the Wildcat coaching staff saw Sawyer Solitaria's potential as he made the varsity squad in his freshman year. Solitaria has established himself as one of the best power hitters in the state and will be an Ace on the mound for the Wildcats in 2024.
Before starting his sophomore season, Solitaria committed to playing at The Ohio State University. However, due to a new coaching staff for the Buckeyes, Solitaria decided to reopen his recruitment. In his junior year, he chose Kent State University and now has his eyes set on becoming a Golden Flash.
"The recruiting process was smooth from a young age and it began for me in eighth grade; there were a good amount of colleges looking at me and at the time of my sophomore year, Ohio State was the best fit for me," explains Solitaria. "Ohio State got a new coaching staff, so I reopened my recruiting process. After a year, I fell in love with Kent State, developed a good relationship with the coaches and they became my choice."
When Solitaria reopened his recruitment, Kent State immediately showed interest in signing the power hitter. "It all started with their recruiting coach, Mike Birkbeck, who was initially interested in Sawyer. After Sawyer reopened his recruitment, Mike was on it immediately; they were engaged and communicating with Sawyer," explains Ganor. "I think too that Michael McNamara '20 played a part in it. When Sawyer visited, Michael gave him the lay of the land that sealed the deal."
As coach Ganor mentioned, there is a Wildcat connection at Kent State University as McNamara, who was a member of that 2019 State Championship team, is having a phenomenal career for the Golden Flashes and is coming off a season where he was named a top-50 shortstop by Division I Baseball after starting 57 games in 2023.
Since Solitaria suited up in the Blue and Gold on the diamond, he has made noise, which included a walk-off single to defeat St. Edward his freshman year. Solitaria became a solidified clean-up hitter and a defensively sound first baseman. As a freshman, Solitaria appeared in 24 games, averaging .309 at the plate and knocking in 14 RBIs. Since then, he has improved every season.
"Every power hitter wants to go yard, but sometimes you have to keep it simple; nothing is wrong with hitting line drives up the middle," Solitaria says. "Getting on base is the primary focus and doing what the team needs."
Solitaria became a staple in the Wildcat lineup in his sophomore season, helping the Wildcats make it to the Elite 8. He would hit four home runs and collect 29 RBIs while maintaining a .385 batting average. Solitaria showcased his best batting average and on-base percentage in his junior season as he hit over .400 and had an OBP of .476. He also collected 25 RBIs.
"We knew right away when he hit a home run in a scrimmage his freshman year that he was going to be in our lineup every day for the next four years and that hasn't changed," Ganor says. "On the mound, he wasn't the number one over the last three years; now, in his senior year, he is our number one and top arm."
As dangerous as Solitaria is when he steps to the dish, he is just as good on the mound for the Cats. Through his first two years, Solitaria added depth to a talented pitching rotation for the Wildcats. In 2021, Solitaria appeared in eight games, going 3-0, saving two and struck out 12, all while not surrendering a single run.
Solitaria was the number two pitcher in the rotation his junior season and saw the most amount of innings pitched on the team with 34. He secured an impressive 1.44 ERA and was second on the team in strikeouts with 46.
"You step on the mound; you want to throw a no-hitter. But at the end of the day, you want to put your team in the best position to win the game," Solitaria says. "Even if I don't throw my best, I want to give the team four or five innings of the best I can do."
As he heads into his senior season, Solitaria has the potential to break a couple of Wildcat Baseball records for a career in 2024. Solitaria currently sits with 91 career hits; the current record is held by Derek Dietrich '07 with 121 hits. The singles record is held by Bryan Conway '08 at 73. Solitaria has 62 career singles.
"During my first and second year, I was pretty closed-minded as a younger player; it was a bit daunting joining a team of 30 guys and being a freshman," explains Solitaria. "After my freshman year, I began opening up more and creating relationships with my teammates. The most important thing is to have strong team chemistry."
The Cats are looking for a big season from Solitaria in 2024, who will maintain his clean-up spot in the lineup but will be the number-one pitcher for the rotation. "I think he has done a great job in the offseason; he is big and strong naturally, but he has added a lot of strength," Ganor says. "I am excited for him to hit in the four-hole and have him win big games for us this season."
Before heading to Kent to join the Golden Flashes, Solitaria is excited for a memorable senior season that will begin with a trip to Japan during Spring Break.
"I am looking forward to that Japan trip in the spring, but I think we have a great crew this year, and it will be nice playing alongside the guys in the same grade as me," says Solitaria. "The last three years, I was the underclassman, but now it's time for our senior class and me to lead, which is exciting."