Muenster native Logan Hoffman will look to pitch his college team to victory when playoffs begin this week.

Hoffman is in his second year at Colby Community College in Kansas and will take the mound for game 1 against Coffeyville Community College in the opening round of Region 6 playoffs on Thursday, May 9th

The starting righty pitcher finished the regular season with a 7-4 record through 13 starts in his sophomore year. He posted a 2.55 ERA, struck out 108 batters, while only walking 11, and scooped up two Conference Pitcher of the Week Awards.

"It's been an awesome year. My first year here at Colby we finished 31-24 and this year we've expanded on that a bit. I'm really excited heading into playoffs and hopefully, we can string together a couple of wins." said Hoffman.

Colby Community College finished the year with an improved 33-19 record through the regular season. With the increased team success, comes individual growths in Hoffman's game, improving in nearly every statistical stat available for a pitcher including hits allowed, runs allowed, strikeouts, and ERA. Hoffman attributes this to more knowledge and preparation every time he takes the mound with a balance between control and velocity.

"Growing up I didn't consider myself a hard thrower for the most part until the end of my grade 12 year, so I really had to learn how to pitch. I really focus on attacking the strike zone with at least three different solid pitches. Velocity is a huge thing, but I think control as well, is a huge part. That's one thing I pride myself on is not walking guys, and with that, the strikeouts will come if I attack the zone with a couple of different pitches."

Being a college ball player brings the responsibilities of academics along with the athletics. Learning to balance the two acts productively is another aspect that Hoffman, the business administration major, knows is important throughout his time with Colby.

"Academics are a big part of this. Obviously, you want to end up with your degree. You have to focus on academics if not more, then the same amount as baseball. I've been doing well in the classroom. We have finals coming up on Wednesday with the playoffs starting on Thursday. It's kind of tough packing everything into that short time frame, but you got to make it work."

Joining Hoffman this year at Colby Community College is another local player in Tyler McWillie from Watrous. The two played together with the Muenster Red Sox organization as well as Team Saskatchewan.

"It's good to get some guys that you know. He's a freshman and im a sophomore, so I've been able to show him what it's all about down here. We can build off each other if we ever have questions. We're very familiar with each other and it's great to have him down here."

Colby Community College is located roughly a 21-hour drive away from his hometown in Saskatchewan, but a lot can be related between the two cities.

"In the first year, it was a little bit of a culture shock just moving away from home. There are definitely similarities though compared to back home. I tell the guys that's it's very similar to Saskatchewan. Both are big baseball markets, the landscape looks the same, there's windmills, its pretty flat asides from some rolling hills. I pretty much say Kansas is the Saskatchewan of the United States."

Colby has not played Coffeyville throughout the regular season but Hoffman knows his job remains the same once gameday comes. 

"I took a look at their stats, but that's about it. I just want to go in there and do my thing on the mound."

Hoffman, McWillie and the rest of Colby Community College will take the field on Thursday, May 9th against Coffeyville Community College.