Colin Dudgeon Commits to the University of Rio Grande Red Storm in Ohio

Titans 18U Pitcher Colin Dudgeon committed to the University of Rio Grande Red Storm on the weekend.  Dudgeon will be joining Class of 2022 Titan Mitchell Crowley—an outfielder and pitcher from Norwood, Ontario-- who is currently a freshman at the Ohio NAIA school this Fall. 

By signing his letter of intent with the Red Storm, Dudgeon became the fourth Titan from the Class of 2023 to commit to a US College, joining the trio of Jayden Bailey (Eastern Michigan University Eagles—NCAA D1), Kai Hernandez (Rend Lake College Warriors—NJCAA D1), and Sam Puttock (City College of New York Beavers—NCAA D3). Two more commitment announcements are imminent to bring the total number to six Titans signed to a US College by Halloween. 

15U Coach and College Placement Officer Denis Bailey has worked diligently to find post-secondary placements that best fit the graduating players’ academic and athletic skills.  Coach Bailey offered words of praise for the 18U Titans pitcher and for the coaching staff of the Rio Grande Red Storm who will develop Dudgeon at the NAIA level: “Colin is guy who has progressed well since joining the Titans.  Rio will allow him to develop under a coach who has been doing it for a very long time.  Best of luck, Colin.”

Dudgeon, a resident of Halton Hills, Ontario, offered many reasons for attending the University of Rio Grande and playing for the NAIA Red Storm: “Rio Grande is in a very beautiful area of Ohio, and has a very similar feel to my own hometown up here in Canada, where it is surrounded by farms and everyone knows everyone.”

The Honor Roll student at Royal St. George’s College in Toronto acknowledged wryly that one of his favorite major American restaurants is headquartered in Rio Grande and the ease of culinary access helped sway his decision-making:  “I’m probably looking forward to eating at Bob Evans all the time and also just getting the opportunity to play baseball every day.”

On a more serious note, Dudgeon intends to study Sports and Exercise Science as his major while studying and playing baseball at the NAIA school.  He delineated his goals and academic plan as a student-athlete which projects to be a blend of American and Canadian post-secondary schooling:    “My academic goal is to get my two-year degree in Sports and Exercise Science as well as business and finish my sports and exercise degree in Canada.”

The 18U hurler pointed to the importance of the Titans’ recent US College Trip through numerous colleges and universities as a determining factor in choosing the Red Storm as his post-secondary destination:  “The Titans’ College Trip really helped me to show my pitching abilities to many schools and Rio Grande saw something they might not have seen if I didn’t go on that trip.”  Dudgeon pitched his best baseball of the Fall Ball season in Ohio and caught lightning in a bottle on the trip.  His impeccable timing led to a scholarship offer from the Red Storm coaching staff. 

Dudgeon also thanked the Titans coaching staff--especially Pitching Coordinator Eddie McKiernan-- for not only boosting his velocity, but managing the pitcher through an injury that had sidelined him this summer:  “The highlight of my time with the Titans was throwing 85 MPH after a long recovery from an arm injury I had before joining the Titans.” He had this concise advice for younger Titans to help them achieve their post-secondary College placement goals:  “Put in work every single day and study hard.”

The Titans Baseball Club congratulates Colin Dudgeon for his commitment to the University of Rio Grande and wishes him the best of luck during his upcoming seasons: with the 18U Titans in Spring 2024 and the Red Storm in Fall 2024.  Cheers to the fine dining at Bob Evans, too!  Another excellent destination, indeed.