When Austin Bode entered his name into the transfer portal last week, it didn’t take long for college baseball programs to contact him.
One school in particular — Indiana University — called to the former Columbus North standout catcher within a couple hours after he hit the portal. A couple days later, Bode was on his way to becoming a Hoosier.
Bode spent his freshman year at University of Louisville. He played in 16 games, starting one, and had a .294 average with two doubles and five RBIs in 21 at bats, highlighted by a two-run double against Michigan in the NCAA Regional.
“It was a learning experience,” Bode said. “I got to take some stuff away from it. But it was ultimately just a decision I made to have a better opportunity someplace else.”
Bode committed to Louisville at the beginning of his freshman year of high school. He went on to star for North, winning the Johnny Bench Award as the state’s top catcher his senior year after helping lead the Bull Dogs to a sectional title.
After not seeing a ton of action this spring at Louisville, Bode played for the Albany Dutchmen in Albany, New York, this summer in the Perfect Game Collegiate League.
“It helped me to kind of get back in the swing of playing every day,” Bode said.
IU returns two senior catchers and has a freshman catcher on its roster. Bode thinks in addition to catcher, he could play some first base or left field, and be the designated hitter at times for the Hoosiers next spring.
A sports marketing and management major, Bode leaves for Bloomington on Aug. 18.
“I’m excited,” Bode said. “It’s just a better opportunity at Indiana. It’s a really good environment and atmosphere to be in, so I’m looking forward to a change of scenery.”
