Millersville

A true two-way star for the Marauder baseball team from 2008-11, Derek Kline established himself as not only the top hitter in program history but also a MLB Draft-worthy pitcher. He arrived at Millersville at the same time as coach Jon Shehan, and in 2008, everything about Millersville baseball changed.

The 2008 PSAC East Freshman of the Year, three-time All-PSAC East selection and two-time All-Atlantic Region pick, Kline set Marauder records for hits (247), doubles (61), and RBIs (148) during his four-year career, hitting .346 over 200 starts at first base. He also became a formidable starting pitcher in the PSAC East, posting a 3.46 ERA and winning 13 games in 27 starts in three seasons. Kline was drafted as a pitcher following the 2009 season but elected to return to Millersville where he helped the Marauders to a NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship as the starting pitcher in the title game.

Kline’s all-around play was pivotal to a Marauder program that was quickly turning into a regional contender under Shehan, a young head coach. Shehan’s first season as head coach was Kline’s first with the Marauders and they quickly won a PSAC East Championship, rebounding from a 9-37 record the previous season. As a freshman, Kline led the team in hitting with a .364 average and paced the club in RBIs (41), doubles (15), hits (67), runs (51), home runs (6), slugging percentage (.565) and on base percentage (.449). At season’s end, he became just the third Marauder to win the division rookie of the year award and also landed on the All-PSAC East Second Team.

Kline added another dimension to his game in 2009, becoming a starting pitcher. Not only did he hit .393 with 17 doubles and five homers, but he also started six games on the mound, posting a 2.87 ERA and .206 batting average against. He was named All-PSAC East and All-Atlantic Region First Team as a utility player. His performance caught the eye of Major League Baseball scouts, and he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the MLB Draft that June. Kline elected not to sign and returned to the Marauders, continuing an historic career.

After a junior season of hitting .295 and posting a 3.38 ERA on the mound, Kline and the Marauders turned in an epic 2011 season. As a senior, Kline hit .330, drove in 43 runs and smacked seven homers, all while going 7-2 in 11 starts on the mound. Kline helped his team to a 44-12 record, the program’s first NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship since 1998 and a berth to the NCAA Division II Championship Tournament. Kline was the starting pitcher in the regional championship game and picked up the win with six innings pitched. He helped himself at the plate by going 3-for-6 with three RBIs.

Kline was named All-PSAC East First Team and ABCA All-Atlantic Region First Team as a first baseman that season.

Kline graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business finance and now resides in San Diego, Calif.