Centerfielder finds home at UVSC

OREM — Third time's a charm for Utah Valley State centerfielder Kory Drew.

After a two-year stint at the College of Eastern Utah and another year at Southern Utah University, Drew has found a home with the Wolverines. Surprisingly, he now plays only less than 10 miles from where he grew up in Pleasant Grove.

Drew, a senior, is in the midst of his best college season, leading the Wolverines with a .384 average, 56 hits and 31 runs as one of only two on the team to have started every game this season.

"Kory is just an outstanding young man," said Wolverine head coach Steve Gardner. "As far as work ethic goes, he's always working on his skills. He leads by example for the rest of the guys because he practices so hard."

High praises from a coach of less than a year.

"He's been such a role model, leading by example," Gardner said. "Sometimes you don't realize how big of an impact a guy can have in only one year, but he really has."

After graduating from Pleasant Grove High School in 2001, Drew took his game to Price to refine his skills at CEU, a junior college.

Gardner tried to bring Drew to UVSC then, but "it didn't work out," according to Gardner. Drew enrolled at SUU for his junior season. When Drew got a release from the Thunderbirds, Gardner jumped at the second chance.

This time it worked.

It didn't hurt that new Wolverine pitching coach Eric Madsen had coached Drew's CEU team.

"(Madsen's) the best coach I've ever had," Drew said. "I owe most of my success to him. He taught me how to become a good baseball player. Any time I have questions, he's always there.

"Coach Gardner is a great guy, and I appreciate him letting me come here, but I think Eric's the biggest influence on me in the game of baseball."

Drew's return to Utah County also provided him with another opportunity to play in front of his family and friends.

"My family had a lot to do with it," Drew said. "There are some personal things that made me come home to be closer to my family."

Along with his hits and runs, Drew also produces runs, hitting a team third-best six homeruns and 23 RBI. And he does it all from the leadoff spot.

"He's got quick hands and excellent power for a leadoff guy," Gardner said. "He gets on base, and that's what we like."

So with such great power, why is he leading off?

"He only leads off about once a game," Gardner said. "There are usually guys on base his next times up. We talk about moving him sometimes, but then we think about who we're going to put at leadoff. We need him to get on base in the first inning."