Baseball: Kreke hopes to bring Fenwick first state title since his grandfather coached
Pat Kreke knows baseball.
A 1975 Badin High School graduate, Kreke played baseball there and at Xavier University where he graduated in 1978.
Just days after graduating, he was hired to teach physical education at Bishop Fenwick High School.
In 1981, head baseball coach was added to his job responsibilities at the Catholic high school when he replaced legendary coach John “Butch” Rossi.
That first year Fenwick won the Class A state baseball title with a win over Columbus Academy. The following season, the Falcons returned to state, only to lose to Columbus Academy in the semifinal.
Now, for the first time since 1982, the Falcons have returned to the state tournament, and Kreke’s grandson, Hudson Kreke, has played a key role in the team’s improbable tournament run, the most recent win, a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over Roger Bacon in the Division IV regional final at Day Air Ballpark.
The Falcons (22-8) face Fairfield Union (25-6) at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at 7 17 Credit Union Park in Akron in the Division IV state semifinal. The winner plays the winner of Perkins (24-5) vs. Cardinal Mooney (24-3) at 10 a.m. Sunday, June 14.
Fenwick, which plays in the competitive Greater Catholic League Co-Ed division, is two wins from its first baseball state championship in 45 years, and the irony isn’t lost on Pat Kreke.
“That’s pretty special,” said Kreke, 69, who just finished his 48th year teaching at Fenwick.
He plans to retire next year when his grandson graduates from Fenwick.
But first Kreke and Hudson, a junior outfielder, would love to put another state trophy in the school’s showcase.
“Our goal all season was going to state, winning state,” Hudson said. “We know what we have to get done.”
Pat Kreke sees similarities between the Fenwick team he coached in 1981-82 and the one Doc Wieland is coaching this season.
“Both teams have a very good nucleus of talent,” he said. “There is a lot of resemblance with the unity and teamwork they have.”
He said the 1981 and 2026 teams have “great senior leadership.” He taught most of the players in freshman health and the students are “class individuals,” he said.
Kreke, who started playing baseball when he was 7, said watching his grandson and his teammates advance to the state semifinal is “an amazing feeling.”
Then he added: “This is such a milestone.”
In 29 games, Hudson has 28 hits, seven doubles, 15 RBIs, 10 stolen bases and is hitting .289.
Hudson “fills a good role” on the team, his grandfather said.
Hudson said he and his teammates aren’t concerned with personal accomplishments. They prefer wins over statistics.
“I have great teammates and we have a great brotherhood,” he said. “This season has been a complete blast.”
He would love to play a part in bringing Fenwick its first state baseball championship since his grandfather coached.
He called his grandfather “one of my biggest inspirations” and said he showed him the importance of being kind to fellow competitors and complete strangers.
Hudson said his father, Joe, who played baseball at Fenwick and Wittenberg University, and his grandfather taught him lessons he uses every time he steps on the field.
“You can control hustle and hard work,” he said.
