Trending
NILES -- It's understandable that Kolby Dougan feels right at home at Eastwood Field.
Granted, the ballpark and the Mahoning Valley in general is completely new territory for the Topeka, Kansas, native.
Still, the Scrappers pitcher says he feels like he has come "full circle," and that maybe it was destiny that he ended up in a Scrappers uniform.
For starters, this isn't the first time Dougan donned a Scrappers jersey.
Ironically, Dougan's high school summer team back home was named the Topeka Scrappers. The team's logo - a dog with a bat in its mouth - bears a striking resemblance to Mahoning Valley's mascot, Scrappy.
"I think someone back home was just looking for a cool nickname and mascot and probably came across it on the internet," Dougan said. "We love the look."
Then there is the coincidence that Dougan's trainer and advisor, Jordan Cooper, was a pitcher for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in 2010. Cooper appeared in 14 games, posting a 5-5 record. He was with the Indians' organization for seven years.
On Tuesday, Dougan felt especially at home, thanks to a surprise visit by his parents Lance and Angie Dougan.
Dougan's parents were at Eastwood Field to wish their son a happy 22nd birthday. Dougan then gifted his parents with one inning of relief work in the Scrappers' 6-1 win over State College. Dougan pitched a perfect seventh inning, striking out all three batters he faced.
"Having my parents here means the world to me, they have been there every step of the way my entire life," Dougan said. "Super supportive, super loving in every way. It was a great surprise."
Entering Thursday's game against State College, Dougan appeared in four games this year (five innings) without allowing a run. He's given up just one hit while recording nine strikeouts.
Dougan is a 2020 graduate of Seaman High School, which won Kansas state baseball championships in both 2018 and 2019. Dougan's senior season was wiped out due to COVID.
"It was especially frustrating because we were going for a three-peat, something that had only been done one other time in school history," Dougan said. "And, it was our coach's final season. We wanted to send him out in style."
Growing up, Dougan played the infield, some outfield and even served as a catcher on occasion. It wasn't until his junior year of high school that he turned to pitching.
"I was playing shortstop and my coach saw my arm strength when I was throwing across the field and he brought me in the bullpen and taught me to throw a curveball," Dougan said. "He felt like I had the arm to work on the mound and I've been at it ever since."
Dougan attended Cloud County Community College out of high school, then transferred to Kansas. He spent the last three years with the Jayhawks, appearing in 66 games, all in relief.
Dougan is just two classes shy of earning his degree in sports management, with a minor in finance.
Because he played four years of college ball (three at the Division I level), Dougan is out of DI eligibility. He can return to play another year at any level below DI.
"I'm hoping to perform well enough here to catch some eyes and maybe get noticed enough to where I get drafted or get signed to a contract," Dougan said. "If not, I'll return to school and likely play at a Division II school close to home."
Dougan has two brothers, one two years younger than him, the other two years older. All three were coached by Dad during their youth and through part of high school.
"My older brother has the smarts, my younger brother is a loose cannon, I got lucky with some athletic ability," Dougan said with a laugh. "It's been a fun ride to this point. We'll see where it goes from here."
Lance Dougan, who still coaches at the junior varsity level, says he and his wife are "beyond proud" of Kolby's accomplishments on the mound.
"Kolby is a bit introverted compared to my other two sons, but he absolutely fell in love with baseball and he's been all in," Lance said. "I saw the talent, I saw the ability but he's gone above and beyond where we ever thought he would go."
"When he was in high school, we thought maybe Division II. Then he had a great year at Cloud County and KU called. Now this. He's earned this through hard work."
Kolby and his teammates return to action tonight with the start of a three-game series in Trenton.
Have an interesting story? Contact the Sports Department by email at sports@tribtoday.com. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @TribChronSports.