Hilton heads to Trine to join baseball program

Cloverdale’s Levi Hilton (center) will continue his baseball playing days at Trine University next school year. With Hilton at the signing were (left to right) Clover baseball head coach Garry Hoffa, father Jason, mother Becky and travel coach Scott Weigel.

Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT

Winter may be settling in but it’s never too early to think of spring, especially for baseball players.

For Levi Hilton, springtime will bring a final season on the baseball diamond at Cloverdale but it will also be a chance to work on his game ahead of heading to Trine University beginning in the 2023-24 school year.

“I first was interested Trine for the great coaching staff and the different experience levels that Trine had,” Hilton said. “I visited and loved everything about the campus and knew it would be the right fit for me.

“I had to work hard to get recruited there and I was fortunate to be able to do that. I’ll be studying exercise science while there.

“I like the campus at Trine because it is a small school and I wasn’t looking for big campus life,” Hilton added. “Half of the students at the school are athletes, so there are a lot of people to relate to up there. I also liked the food a lot during my trip.”

The Thunder finished 14-23 in the 2022 baseball season and told Hilton they were looking for flexible players on the field to help the program continue to trend upward.

“The coaches told me, while I was at a camp there, that they really liked what could do and felt I could help them out in different areas of the field,” Hilton said. “They liked that I was a versatile player on the field, starting in the infield and moving around as they go.

“Instead of focusing on things to work on going up there, the coaches talked to me about preparing to go up there,” Hilton added. “They told me to always stay ready, always stay in the game and be a sponge when I get up there.

“It doesn’t always mean be a follower but learn from the older guys as much as you can.”

Hilton said being an exercise science major meant a greater focus would be place on studies but was also confident of fitting in quickly.

“Athletically, it’s being around guys that are at the same level or better than me,” Hilton said. “Academically, it will be about focusing on one thing rather than having my attention divided, diving into my studies.

“I am going to have to learn a lot more and have better study habits with my major. I’ve always been a talkative person and being on a team will help me build relationships.”

Though his final season as a Clover was still a ways away, Hilton was eager to get going as it also meant his time at Trine would soon be beginning.

“I’m super excited about going to Trine,” Hilton said. “I’m eager for my senior season of baseball to get here but also ready for a new chapter, especially athletically.

“Being part of a new team, a new program, especially at the next level, is super excited and I’m eager to get started.”