‘Get rings, get diplomas, get drafted’: New era for YSU baseball

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Youngstown State University has introduced newly-hired baseball head coach Trevor Charpie .

“This town is blue collar, it’s gritty, and we want to do that right,” said Coach Charpie. “We want to be gritty. That’s kind of what I wanted to do, that’s the way we’re going to play.”

Charpie is the tenth head coach in the program’s history. The new coach said this is his first opportunity to be a head coach.

“We are going to make this a mid-major to be reckoned with,” said Charpie. “I want to compete with the big boys, I want to be in Super Regionals and I want to be in College World Series. I want to really put Youngstown State on the map as a baseball program.”

The YSU administration made the announcement of Charpie’s hire in late June. The newly-named coach started in 2023 at YSU as a volunteer and was promoted to assistant coach.

Midway through last season, Charpie was named the primary pitching coach.

“It’s kind of being like, ‘Hey, we’re going to win here,'” said Charpie. “‘We’re going to win here with or without you. Do you want to jump on board with it?'”

Before his coaching career, Charpie was signed by the Tampa Bay Rays. He pitched in the minor league from 2017 to 2019.

The standout pitcher started his collegiate career at the University of Tennessee. After injuries, he played at Saddleback College and Nevada.

“I understand what it takes. I did make it professional ball, I did play for college World Series-winning coaches my whole career,” said Charpie.

In 2019, he reached the Double-A level with the Montgomery Biscuits, a Tampa Bay Rays affiliate. Charpie played in 42 minor league games and posted a record of 9-2.

In Montgomery, Charpie recorded a 3.47 ERA with two saves. He struck out 62 batters in 72 2/3 innings of work.

Charpie said he has no head coaching experience but he knows he has the baseball knowledge to succeed.

“When you put somebody with their back against the wall, scary things can happen in a good way,” said Charpie. “Scary things can happen and I think people will be shocked.”

The Penguins posted an overall record of 16-44 in the 2024 season. YSU’s season ended as runner-ups in the Horizon League Conference Championship, losing to eventual champions Northern Kentucky.

The first-time head coach said he has his players’ development at heart and wants new energy.

“Get them to be the best they can,” said Charpie. “That’s get rings, get diplomas and get drafted. That’s kind of MO for us now.”

Prior to coaching at YSU, Charpie was the pitching coach at Golden West College in the 2022-23 season.

He also made appearances in Frontier League for the Joliet Slammers from 2020 to 2022.

Charpie said he is finalizing his pitching staff and roster for the 2025 season. The Penguins have yet to announce the schedule for the 2025 season.

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