COD Alum Kenny Schechter Signs Pro Contract with Gateway Grizzlies

The College of the Desert Athletics Department is thrilled to announce that former Roadrunner right-handed pitcher Kenny Schechter has signed a professional baseball contract with the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League.

Schechter, a Newtonville, Massachusetts native and Newton North High School graduate, played two standout seasons at COD (2022–2023). As a freshman, he was instrumental in helping the Roadrunners secure their first conference title in 51 years and earned Second Team All-Inland Empire Athletic Conference honors. He averaged 10.26 strikeouts per game and had multiple dominant starts, including two double-digit strikeout performances.

In his sophomore year, Schechter transitioned to a bullpen role and excelled, earning First Team All-IEAC honors. He maintained a 10.59 strikeouts-per-game average and became a reliable late-inning option for the Roadrunners, consistently delivering in high-pressure situations.

"I struggled a little bit my first year and so when I came back my second year, I had to pick up what I wasn't working on the following year," Schechter said in a recent interview with Caitlyn Kelley from NBC Palm Springs. "Got eligible to play in the spring and had one of my best years ever playing baseball and that actually led to a lot more opportunities for me down the road where I later got an offer from Coach (Brad) Neffendorf at LSU-Shreveport."

After COD, Schechter transferred to LSU Shreveport, where he became part of college baseball history. The Pilots went a perfect 58-0 in 2024, capturing the NAIA World Series championship and setting a new national record for the most wins in a season by any four-year program. The team will be honored at the White House later this year.

"So over at College of the Desert they really helped prepare me for the level of NAIA. Playing at LSU-Shreveport, we had a perfect season this year, we went 59-0, winning the NAIA National Championship and it was just an amazing group of guys to be a part of," commented Schechter.  "I feel like without College of the Desert, I would've never gone to where I am today."

Now taking the next step in his journey, Schechter joins the Gateway Grizzlies, based in Sauget, Illinois, just outside of St. Louis. The Grizzlies finished the 2024 season with a 59-36 record under fourth-year manager Steve Brook.

Schechter's rise from COD to the professional ranks highlights his relentless work ethic and passion for the game. The Roadrunner community celebrates this achievement and looks forward to following his success at the next level.

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Darbie Catalfamo Photography.