John LaCorte, a 2011 Otterbein University graduate, begins his sixth year as lead assistant and pitching coach for the baseball program. He initially came on board in 2011-12 as the team’s strength and conditioning instructor before spending the next two years as a graduate assistant, earning a master's degree in Allied Health.
LaCorte has transformed the Otterbein pitching staff into one of the nation's best, with the 2017 unit finishing third in the nation with a 2.83 team E.R.A. Four of his hurlers earned All-Ohio Athletic Conference recognition, with standout Craig Prince also receiving All-Mideast Region nd closer Caleb Norton landing on the Academic All-America squad.
LaCorte was a four-year letterman himself for the Cardinals from 2008-11, earning All-OAC honors as a right-hander during his junior and senior seasons. He ranked among the top-30 nationally for strikeouts per nine innings in his final season, and ended his career in Otterbein’s top-ten for most wins and shutouts.
LaCorte, who was also an Academic All-OAC pick his senior year, graduated from Otterbein with a bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion and Fitness and is now a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He also interned at The Ohio State University Strength and Conditioning Department in 2011.
John has a multitude of experience working with other organizations, including the PBR Fall Prospect Program and Ohio Elite Baseball. He now operates Lacorte Performance Training, providing individual and group pitching lessons.
John and his wife, Emily, who is also an Otterbein graduate, currently reside in Delaware and are soon expecting their first child.
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