Athens grad Forbes to join West Chester.
By: The Review | Towanda Daily Review | June 16, 2017
2017 NTL and District 4 News
Tyler Forbes went from a top-notch player at Athens to a bonafide pitcher at Northampton Community College, a successful junior college in Pennsylvania.
After two years with the Spartans, Forbes will now join the West Chester Golden Rams — hoping to continue his college success on the mound.
"I really liked the campus and the baseball program is really good," Forbes said, praising West Chester.
Before signing on with the Golden Rams, Forbes considered some of West Chester's Pennsylvania State Athletics Conference opponents, including Lock Haven, Bloomsburg and East Stroudsburg.
Distance didn't matter for Forbes, his goal was to find the next school that was comfortable for him.
"It was one of those things where I wanted to go to a program that wins," Forbes said. "I didn't really care about where it was located. West Chester just seemed like the right choice for me."
Forbes garnered a lot of experience with NCC, especially in his final season. The righty started in 12 games and posted a 4-2 record with 3.40 earned run average and 70 strikeouts in 53 innings pitched.
He got a taste of the the NJCAA Division-III World Series alongside a 35-9 Spartans team this past season, something he'll never forget.
"It was a great experience," Forbes said. "Seeing all those great teams and some of the guys you get to meet is incredible."
You'd think a stage as big as the one Forbes was on would be a lot to take in, but the atmosphere didn't phase him in the slightest.
"I honestly didn't think (it was overwhelming) at all," Forbes said. "I treated the games like it was any other game. You don't really think about how the atmosphere is. You just go out and do your best."
Taking in the surroundings of a College World Series has Forbes motivated for the future, especially since West Chester are coming off as victors of the NCAA Division-II World Series title, their second in six years.
Hungry for more?
"That kind of says it for itself," Forbes said without a doubt. "Seeing your new team win a World Series title makes you want to get a taste of that next season."
Forbes has seen the title-winning Golden Rams with his own eyes and knows what they'll bring back for next season. From the looks of it, the Rams are already geared for championship defense.
"I watched the (World Series) online," Forbes said. "Going into next year, they're losing a couple pitchers but position they don't lose many guys. Hopefully we'll back at the World Series next season. It'd be awesome to part of a team like that."
Forbes has spoken to Rams head coach Jad Prachniak on numerous occasions. So far, the Athens grad is buying what Prachniak is selling.
"I've reached out to Coach Jad and seems like he wants to get me involved with the Rams fairly quick," Forbes said. "I like how he's a laid back guy and players who played for him say he's one of the best coaches they've ever had."
"It gets me pretty excited to walk on the campus next year."
Getting involved is what Prachniak wants for Forbes. Where he'll be on the Rams pitching staff is another question. However, Forbes is prepared for any role he's given.
"Coach wants me to come in and produce, whether it's starting, relieving or possibly closing out a game," Forbes said. "I'll take any opportunity and go along with it."
There's a lot to say about West Chester competing in the PSAC, which is an intensified Division-II competition on the diamond.
"The PSAC is one of the top conferences in the country so it's pretty exciting," Forbes said. "The conference has had two of their teams in the final the past two years so you know where they are with talent."
Will matchups be that heavy?
"Oh yeah," Forbes said. "The PSAC will give you all you can handle in competition. That's what it's about."
And Forbes believes NCC has trained him for conferences like the PSAC.
"I thought it was the best idea for me to go to a junior college first," he said. "It definitely prepared me for the next level."
Forbes will miss the Spartans, though, a team he's grown to appreciate the past two seasons.
"I'll miss all the friendships I made and the coaches I've known for the past two years," Forbes said. "It was such an awesome experience to pitch for that team."
With West Chester on Forbes' docket, is the goal reaching another after that in mind?
"That's the goal," he said. "I'm hoping West Chester can prepare me for a level beyond that."
Forbes intends to continue studying criminal justice at the university.
