By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As the Tennessee Tech baseball team went on its historic run this season, their biggest fan was probably sitting in Knoxville, rooting the team on as the Golden Eagles soared to new heights.
After all, Ryan Flick had played with them. He knew all the guys and helped shape the Tech baseball team into the form it took.
He had made an NCAA Tournament run with the team a year before, upsetting Florida State in their regional, after making one heck of a splash in the 2017 Ohio Valley Conference Baseball Championship in Oxford, Ala.
With the numbers he put up in the 2017 campaign, it was easy to see why he was an overwhelming choice for the 2018 Tennessee Tech Athletics Male Athlete of the Year. He had five All-American selections and was a national Player of the Week. During that campaign, he recorded the second-most RBI in school history, the third-most doubles, the fifth-most home runs and the sixth-best slugging percentage.
Because the award is presented during the academic year, student-athletes competing in baseball, softball and outdoor track and field use their accomplishments and numbers from their previous completed season.
And Flick was humbled by his selection among a tremendous field of candidates that included Gilbert Boit (Men's Cross Country), Dontez Byrd (Football), Eduardo Mena (Tennis) and Trevor Putzig (Baseball).
"It was a huge honor for me," he said. "I had a blast during my time as a Tech student-athlete, so it was really cool to be recognized like that at the end of my campaign."
The interesting thing was that even though he had put together such a stellar season in 2017, Flick was delegated to the all-Ohio Valley Conference second-team roster, a stunning blow considering the Golden Eagles won the regular-season title. Teammates David Garza and Ethan Roberts were on the first team, but Flick, Chase Chambers, Putzig, Kevin Strohschein and Michael Wood all found themselves on the second squad.
Needless to say, the slight gave them some added motivation, none more so than Flick.
"It's not that any of us were playing for the awards," he said, "and there were a bunch of guys putting up big numbers in the OVC that year. We did keep it in the back of our minds as we went to Oxford, and I think that played a part in the success we had in the OVC tournament."
Success just seems to put it mildly. In a tournament that saw the competing teams knock an OVC-record 50 home runs out of Choccolocco Park, Flick and the Golden Eagles were dominant.
He set single-game tournament records with a three home run game and nine RBI against Southeast Missouri. For the OVC tournament, Flick finished with five homers and 16 RBI over the three games in the event, batting 6-for-14 (.429).
"I just remember that weekend being a lot of fun," Flick reminisced. "We had a great year up until that point, but we knew – being in the OVC – you pretty much had to win the conference tournament to get a regional bid. Well, until this year's Tech squad (which was the first in OVC history to earn an at-large bid). Being able to contribute a bunch that weekend was probably the most fun I ever had on a baseball field."
As the Golden Eagles dried off from their celebratory dip in Choccolocco Lake behind the stadium, the focus then shifted to the NCAA Regional in Tallahassee, Fla., as Tech took on Florida State. The Cookeville boys were victorious in the opener, knocking off the No. 15 Seminoles 3-1, but fell 5-3 to No. 23 Auburn and 5-3 to Florida State in the rematch.
Still, after everything the team had accomplished to that point, there's no doubt that the NCAA contests were something unique.
"They're definitely different," Flick said, "but it's what you work towards all year, so they're also probably the most fun. We were the underdogs last year at Florida State, so our mindset was just to prove we belonged and could beat the 'power conference' schools.
"After this year, I don't think anyone doubts that Tennessee Tech is a national power in baseball. In the future, they'll get to roll into the tournament with more respect, and it'll be their responsibility to maintain that reputation."
The toughest decision for Flick to make, however, came after the conclusion of the 2017 season. He had his degree and a fantastic job offer, but he still had a year of eligibility remaining. He chose to walk away.
"That was an extremely difficult decision," he said. "I had worked hard to get my degree in four years, and I really didn't feel the need to go to grad school even though I did still love baseball. I had played all season with the mindset that it was my final year, and I think part of my success was due to the idea that I was making my last mark. We got further than anyone expected us to and had a lot of fun doing it, so I felt alright moving on."
However, Flick's success in 2017 was an inspiration to his Golden Eagle teammates, showing just what was possible and led the team to build on it, serving as a foundation for the 2018 success and beyond.
"Well, that's the biggest honor of all, I suppose, if I can claim any of it," Flick said. "I tried my best to be a leader last year and plenty of guys stepped up to take that role this year. With all the talent that has come through the program in recent years, it was bound to be a season to remember.
"I think the future of the program is in great hands with Coach (Justin) Holmes, and I'll be in Cookeville as much as I can to support the guys who will contribute to the winning legacy in the years to come."
Photo by Thomas Corhern
