UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Adjusting to college can be difficult for anyone, but several Penn State baseball players have had the added challenge of transitioning from a junior college baseball program to a traditional four-year university program. However, their experiences in junior college have also proved beneficial to both themselves and their team.
The program currently has six junior college transfer players on its roster, five of which are in the first season at Penn State.
Junior catcher Jacob Padilla and junior outfielder Gavin Homer have already been making a substantial impact on their new team as they navigate the benefits and challenges that come with transferring to a four-year university.
Padilla joined the Nittany Lions after playing baseball at Murray State College in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Homer came to Penn State following two seasons at two separate community colleges, the most recent at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Homer is hitting .264 and is tied for the second-best batting average on the team with sophomore Parker Hendershot. Homer is also tied with sophomore Kris Kremer for four home runs this season, the most on the team.
Both Homer and Padilla have found mentors at their respective positions who have helped ease the transition.
For Homer, a veteran outfielder like Jordan Bowersox has helped a lot, especially since Homer didn't play outfield in junior college.
"He's helped me when a lefty's up, where to position myself and how to get around balls so I can throw them to the correct bases and he'll also run me through scenarios ahead of time so I'm prepared when the ball is hit to me," Homer said.
Homer never played outfield in junior college, but he did in high school. He also was playing infield at the beginning of the 2019 season, but has since transitioned to the outfield.
As a catcher, Padilla has learned a lot from fellow catcher, senior Ryan Sloniger, and that mentoring has helped him learn more about the position and the game.
"The dude just knows the game," Padilla said. "Anything I can pick up from him really helps.
"(He has) just a different view of the game and his knowledge of it is a big influence in sharpening up my game."
Padilla and Homer are very appreciative of what Penn State has offered them after coming from humbling experiences in junior college. Having teammates who have been in the same situations as them has helped a lot with the adjustment process to a four-year university.
"Something only junior college kids would understand is how blue collar it is down there. You're not gifted all the clothing and facilities that you have around here," Homer said.
"It's a big upgrade," Padilla said. "Only junior college guys know the junior college grind."
Both players worked hard to get to this level and feel grateful to be playing baseball at this level.
When Penn State head coach Rob Cooper was head coach at Wright State, he had several players with a junior college background, so he knows the benefits players with that experience can bring to a team, but he also knows how hard it can be for the players.
"People think because you played at a two-year college then this shouldn't be much of a transition for you, but it is a different level of baseball," Cooper said.
With both players far from home, having a family atmosphere is very important to their comfort and success at Penn State.
"Coach Cooper has just been like a second dad. I'm from Michigan, so my family doesn't get to come down here that often," Homer said. "He just likes checks up on me and makes sure everything's going well — like physically mentally — that I'm still intact."
Cooper is pleased with the player Homer has been for this program. He could tell how much Homer loved the game just by watching his video when recruiting him.
"He's been everything we thought he would be and more. He's a winning player. He's a great teammate. He works hard. He doesn't make excuses. And I'm very fortunate to coach him," Cooper said.
Along with the opportunities Penn State provides regarding baseball and school, one of the other reasons Padilla decided on Penn State was the leadership he found among the coaches.
"Penn State is just a great opportunity in general, baseball and with school. A big (factor) was the coaches. They're real welcoming. Coach Cooper, he's a real good guy. Coach Newman was a big one. So they're real big influences on me choosing Penn State," Padilla said.
And Cooper has praise for the catcher's proven ability to adapt to Penn State, as he succeeds both offensively and defensively.
"He's really catching well; he's swinging the bat a lot better," Cooper said.
Even though Padilla had to adjust to the weather, he has found Pennsylvania to be quite the place.
"I have been seeing a lot more snow than I've ever seen, that was the biggest (thing), but it's real beautiful out here," Padilla said. "I've been loving everything about it."
