Freshman Kellen Goc checked his email everyday. After two hours of tryouts he would go home to see if his hard work for the day paid off. While the group trying out became slimmer each day, the intensity and level of competition continued to increase. Yet by the time Friday came around and he didn’t receive an email, he realized that he made the team.

“The tryouts were really stressful and pretty difficult because there were 55 freshman that tried out,” Goc said. “Only 18 or 19 made a team and there were a lot of kids getting cut so it was very nerve-wracking and overall pretty stressful.”

Goc, who was born with Poland syndrome, has been playing baseball for nearly 9 years, but unlike his teammates, only has one functional “baseball arm”. People born with Poland syndrome are born with missing or underdeveloped chest muscles on one side of their body. For Goc, this means only having half of his left arm. Yet the multi-sport athlete has learned how to adapt to his condition and has worked hard to earn his spot on the team.

“I know it has affected me, but I also know that I’m able to make adjustments really well,” Goc said. “My power and swinging isn’t as much as other people because I have to swing with one arm instead of two. It takes me a little longer to throw because I have to take my glove off and transfer the ball.”

While his condition has affected him, he has learned how to adapt and make use of what his body is capable of. Reserve coach Jordan Rhodes was initially caught off guard when he first met Goc, but quickly saw that he plays as hard and is just as competitive as anyone else.

“When I first met Kellen my first thought was, ‘Holy cow! This is somebody that gets a lot out of what they’re capable of.’ He maximizes his talent for sure,” Rhodes said.

While Goc is currently a starting pitcher for the reserve team, he knows that he has to continue to work hard in order to make a team for the following years. Rhodes and all of the other coaches hold him to the same standard as every other player and make him work for his playing time.

“Now we’re at the point where winning is a little more important than at younger levels,” Rhodes said. “[…]“It has never even crossed our minds to play him just because he has one functional baseball arm.”

Even though Goc hits and plays first-base, pitching is his strength and is what will allow him to move forward in the baseball program. Participating in off-season training and building up strength in his right arm will help him progress and have a better shot of making the team again next year. Not only will it make him stronger, but it will also keep proving people wrong.

“Sometimes without seeing me play I’m underestimated,” Goc said, “But once people see me play, that all goes away.”