OFier’s rise to top of HR list no fluke
BLOOMSBURG — When Kyle OFier arrived on the scene at Bloomsburg University, he was far from the power hitter he is today.
BU baseball coach Mike Collins says OFier, a switch-hitting redshirt senior who has a BU-record 42 home runs, was more of a singles hitter coming out of Pittston Area High School. He has since developed into the center of attention: playing up the middle and batting in the middle of the order.
“Every one of those home runs were earned with a lot of sweat in the weight room and batting cage,” Collins said. “He developed himself into a power hitter with a lot of sweat and he earned it.”
The results didn’t come overnight, hitting six home runs his freshman season. That number doubled OFier’s sophomore year, where they have consistently stayed — with the exception of what would have been his junior season, which was wiped after nine games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The extra-long offseason arguably did him good with OFier putting together his best statistical season last spring, hitting a career-best .322. He also finished with 10 home runs and 43 RBIs —both just two shy from his career highs in 2019. His performance earned him a spot on the All-PSAC team and East Division’s First Team.
OFier put some added pressure on himself knowing he was closing in on Berwick native and former MLB pitcher Matt Karchner’s (1986-89) three-decade-old home run record with teammate Ben Newbert well in the mix.
The redshirt senior Newbert currently has 39 home runs after four home runs over the past four days. His conference-leading 14 round-trippers are two shy of the PSAC single-season record (BU’s Ryan Kirman in 2016).
“I knew how many away I was at the start of the season and as I kept getting closer and closer, and [Tuesday] I knew I was tied,” OFier said. “There was a little pressing and I’m excited I got it and got that pressure off my back.”
That pressure hasn’t impacted his offensive performance. OFier already has 14 home runs — including seven in the last five games — and has matched RBIs (35) for hits (35) in 35 total games. The Huskies have eight games remaining on the schedule — with nine coming against PSAC competition.
With a great deal of conference play left, it’s safe to say the ultimate team player shouldn’t see a dip in his performance with a third consecutive PSAC title on the line.
“I do whatever I can to help the team, whether it’s being positive in the dugout, swinging the bat, or playing the field,” OFier said. “My main goal is to win and my personal accolades are a plus, and I’m just proud that we get to come out here and win as much as we do.”
Other Huskies have followed suit. The team leads the conference in round-trippers, hitting over 50 already. And with that kind of power present throughout the lineup, opposing pitching staffs have to know leads are never safe bets.
“I’ve learned that we’re never out of a game,” OFier said. “We always have the mindset that we‘re a couple of swings away from breaking out and winning games when we need to. Our mindset has always been that we’re not out of a game and always positive that we can get the job done.”
Collins, now in his 17th season as coach, has enjoyed what he saw so far and knows the team is better because OFier is the center of attention.
“I’m so proud of him because of the career he’s had, and when you have a career record, that makes it extra special,” Collins said. “We won two PSAC championship titles with him at second base and in the middle of our lineup. He’s come up with so many big hits and home runs. He’s such a great leader and has such an impact on the younger hitters when they see how he approaches every at-bat and even things behind the scenes.”
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