Kentucky All-Star

Corbin’s Trace Vorbeck will be making his second trip to Kentucky’s oldest all-star series, the East-West Baseball Games. The annual series dating back to the 1930’s will be played Wednesday, June 20 at the University of Louisville.

Vorbeck played in the junior games last year and was seen by the Eastern Kentucky University coaching staff. After an outstanding summer where he played in a wooden bat league in South Carolina, he committed to EKU.

He had another outstanding season for the Redhounds despite getting only four wins on the mound. Vorbeck had four wins, two saves and an ERA of 2.59 while striking out 112 batters.

It was from the offensive side that he showed his strength. He had a batting average of .510 with 49 base hits, 13 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 30 RBI’s.

Vorbeck said he was looking forward to playing for the East Senior All-Stars. “I just like playing against the higher competition and competing against the base players in the state,” he said.

“I have really enjoyed watching Trace develop as a player and a man,” said Corbin Coach Rob Ledington.

“He is among the most productive offensive players who has ever played for the Redhounds.  Statistically, he has broken many records including season batting average, career batting average, single season home runs and career home runs,” Ledington said.

“And he may be a better prospect as a pitcher.  He is definitely a division one hitter and pitcher and with continued improvement may have a chance at playing professionally,” Ledington added. “He has tremendous work ethic, and he is continuing to mature as a person.  It has truly been a joy to watch him play and we will certainly miss him.”

Vorbeck said last year’s experience in the all-star game helped him as a player. “I met a lot of people that I played against this year and played against a lot of the players during the summer. It’s nice to meet people and know them when you go to other places,” he said.

He is looking forward to starting his career with the OVC co-champion Eastern Kentucky University Colonels. “I just want to go on to the next level and play well.”

“I just have to mentally prepare myself and get bigger, stronger and faster,” he said. “I workout six days a week.”

But as far as playing this summer, EKU Coach Jason Stein wants Vorbeck to take off the month of June except for the all-star game. “I thought play some in July, but I won’t play this month,” he said.

“They want to give my arm a break and let it get stronger and hopefully I will be ready to play in the fall,” Vorbeck said.

Baseball has always been at the top of his list. During his Little League days, Vorbeck led Corbin to the Little League State Tournament. He has played in many games since then, but none as exciting as the 2011 Wooden Bat World Series in Atlanta. “There were over 200 teams down there playing,” he said.

“Summer baseball is an experience of a life-time. If you love baseball you should experience the excitement of playing against some of the best players and getting to travel is awesome,” Vorbeck said.

“My dream has always been to play professional baseball,” he said. “Hopefully I can play as long as my body will let me and continue to get better.”

He will allow his body to get a rest playing for the Colonels, a Division I school. “I will definitely get more of a break pitching and my arm will get more of a break. And, where we play often I hope to stay in a groove hitting.”

“My goal at EKU is to be able to play as a freshman,” he said. “I have to mentally prepare for the everyday grind of practicing, playing, traveling and keeping up with the classes.”

Vorbeck feels he is leaving Corbin High School as a strong player and well prepared for the next level.

He said he was on pace to break his home run record, but didn’t achieve that goal his senior season. “I had seven home runs until Spring Break, then I didn’t hit another one the rest of the season,” Vorbeck said. He did finish his career with 28 home runs for the Redhounds.