KENT STATE Pitcher Hlebovy drafted by Expos

The Kent State junior from Campbell Memorial High went in the 22nd round.
By ROB MEYER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two seconds is all it takes to change a person's life.
Sitting in front of a computer with friends on Tuesday, Gus Hlebovy was eagerly listening to day one of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, anticipating his name to be called.
After amassing 22 saves in two seasons as Kent State University's closer, the junior right-handed pitcher and Campbell Memorial High native was told by major league scouts that he would be picked on that first day.
But he wasn't.
Mixed feelings
The following day, he got a phone call from the Montreal Expos, informing him he was their choice in the 22nd round, making him the 657th overall pick.
"When I got that call, my feelings went from disappointment to extreme happiness in like two seconds," Hlebovy said. "Scouts told me I would go between the eighth and 11th rounds, but it was never written in stone. But this is a start to my lifelong dream of playing in the major leagues."
Along with altering his mood, Hlebovy's life took a dramatic change after that brief phone call. He will travel to Melbourne, Fla., on June 17 to start play in the Gulf Coast League.
Since he is only 20 years old, Hlebovy cannot start his career with Montreal's Class A club in Vermont. But he only expects to be in Florida for a short time.
"[Expos scout] Alex Smith said he can't see me there for too long," Hlebovy said. "Maybe a couple of weeks. I haven't signed a contract or anything, but I am excited about going."
One of many Flashes
Hlebovy was one of four Kent State players taken in the draft, along with pitcher Matt Lorenzo (5th round, Texas Rangers), pitcher Dirk Hayhurst (8th round, San Diego Padres) and catcher Pat O'Brien (17th round, Houston Astros).
Two Flashes' recruits for next season also were drafted by the Seattle Mariners, left-handed pitchers Ryan Feierabend (3rd round) and Shawn Nottingham (13th round).
Kent State baseball coach Rick Rembielak said that while it's great to see his players get drafted, the prospect of losing them is a hard one to swallow.
"While it's great for each of those guys, it's kind of a double-edged sword," he said. "You feel bad for the underclassmen who see these guys potentially leave. But you don't really know what happens until the time comes."
Though some of the six players may continue their careers at Kent State, Hlebovy has made up his mind to leave, "unless something drastic happens that would force me to stay," he said.
In 24 appearances this season, Hlebovy had 11 saves with a record of 6-3 while leading Kent State to its seventh-straight Mid-American Conference regular season title. He was one of the hardest throwing pitchers in the MAC, as his fastball tops off at 94 miles per hour.
"He possesses tremendous arm-speed and is a great competitor," Rembielak said. "He throws hard and has a great breaking ball. Though he could have been a starter for us, he has the mentality to be a successful closer.
Hlebovy hopes to stay a closer on any team he plays for.
"I get the most out of the game as a closer," Hlebovy said. "But if they want me to start, OK. I started in a summer league last year in Maryland and went 8-2. I'll do whatever."
Strong roots
During his four years at Memorial High, Hlebovy said he could not have been blessed with a better coaching staff.
"My coach, Wayne Zetts, prepared us both mentally and physically," he said. "My pitching coach, Kenny Kish, was the first coach I think actually believed in me. When it was 98 degrees in the middle of the summer, I could call him up any day and we'd go throw the ball around in the park."
At Memorial, Hlebovy was named to the all-state team as both a junior and a senior. As a junior, he led the team to a runner-up finish in the state tournament. As a senior, he had a 1.67 earned run average and struck out 122 batters in 86 innings.
"Campbell has a great baseball tradition," Hlebovy said. "I enjoyed all four years. I am thankful to my parents, my grandfather Gus Hlebovy, my uncle Mike Sandusky and all of my coaches who have helped me reach my dreams."