From the Mound to a College Dream: Kody Ackman’s Triumphant Comeback Journey
By FRED KRONER
Kody Ackman knows about strikes.
He is, after all, a baseball pitcher for the Mahomet-Seymour High School team.
Ackman understands what it means to be faced with a two-strike count: the odds of success for the person with two strikes have significantly diminished.
He also understands there is still a chance.
Practically since he entered high school, Ackman has had his back to the wall.
An injury led to what is known commonly as Tommy John Surgery in May of his freshman year (2021).
The road back was a tedious one. Ackman was able to throw off a mound again in May, 2022, which was too late to be of help for the Bulldogs.
That was strike one, missing the first two years of his prep career.
As he tried to return to competition, the person who held a goal for years to play collegiately found it difficult.
“No travel ball team would take me, so I just put my head down, focused on myself and doing my absolute best on coming back to the sport,” Ackman said.
That was strike two.
His junior year was the spring of 2023 when M-S was blessed with talent galore on the pitching front. That year’s senior class – which included major league baseball draftee Blake Wolters – combined to win 18 games.
Ackman was called upon twice. Each time, he pitched one inning. He didn’t allow a hit or a run.
For some, that would have been strike three.
Ackman, however, saw it as a sign to continue trying to move forward. He may have lacked varsity innings entering his senior season, but he still had confidence.
“If you believe in yourself, that is all you need to be successful in the sport of baseball and in life,” Ackman said.
He is now a prominent part of a Bulldog staff where five of the pitchers will play in college. Four – including Ackman – are seniors and the fifth is junior Mason Orton, who as recently as last Saturday (May 11) was scouted by coaches from Illinois and Arizona.
Ackman has committed to Cicero of Morton.
“I only had three colleges reach out, but what narrowed it down to Morton College was that they had a very nice coaching staff and I felt welcomed there when I went on a visit,” he said.
For the 23-7 Bulldogs this spring, Ackman is third on the team in wins. The right-hander has a 3-1 season record, a 2.94 earned run average through six appearances and has struck out 13 hitters in 14 1/3 innings.
Though he had confidence in his abilities, he was less certain about the prospects of pitching beyond high school.
“When I had my elbow surgery, I didn’t think I would have enough time to come back and have a chance at competing in college,” Ackman said.
Rather than leave his chances up to fate, Ackman took the pro-active route.
“I actually was the person to reach out to the college,” Ackman said. “They asked me to come for a visit and I just loved it there.
“Funny thing is this all happened within a couple weeks, I reached out to them about two weeks ago (in late April) and got offered that same week.
“I honestly didn’t think I would get anything from reaching out to colleges because I thought I was too late to the party. It definitely took me by surprise when they offered.”
M-S varsity baseball coach Nic DiFilippo was coaching the junior high program when the current senior class was in seventh- and eighth-grade.
He remembers Ackman as, “a really good pitcher who had a fantastic year.”
DiFilippo saw the struggles that ensued in high school as Ackman worked to regain his form.
“He did all of the things any coach would ever ask,” DiFilippo said. “I saw his work ethic and the time and effort that he put in. He trained in the spring and the fall.
“He was a kid who faced adversity dealing with a significant injury. He realized how special it is to put the jersey on.”
Baseball has been a part of Ackman’s life since he was 3 years old, though he also played football and wrestled while in high school.
“My dad (Matt Ackman) was the main reason why I started playing baseball,” Kody Ackman said. “I always looked up to him and wanted to be like him and play baseball.
“I wasn’t the best when I first started, but got to a comfortable spot around the age of 13 or14.”
He began as a third baseman before transitioning to the pitching mound.
During his comeback journey, Ackman said former Bulldog assistant coach Brian Bajer deserves credit.
“Coach Bajer helped me so much last year and made me become the person and pitcher I am today,” Ackman said, “along with my Mom (Tayna Sahy) and Dad. They always pushed me to be better.”
He is still seeking improvement.
“I know my mechanics are not the best and that is holding me back from being even better,” Ackman said. “The pitching coach (at Cicero of Morton) has already been sending me stuff to work on during this high school season and over the summer.
“I see myself fitting right into their pitching rotation, even if that means a starter or coming out of the pen, but I know I will be a good fit into this team.
“My biggest strength in baseball is my mental toughness and knowing I’m the right person for every situation we are in. I know I will go out there and do my job.”
Ackman plans on majoring in electrical engineering with an eye to becoming “an electrician after my baseball years are over,” he said.
He hopes that time is well down the road.
“I wish that I will still be playing baseball (10 years from now), but obviously you don’t always get what you wish for,” Ackman said.
The drive from Mahomet to Cicero is approximately 150 miles, but the distance won’t change the support he feels.
“I think the move from Mahomet all the way to Chicago will be rough at first, but then I will settle in just fine,” Ackman said. “I would like to think that both my parents are my best friends, and I am very close with both of them.”
The important part of the journey is what awaits after his arrival.
“I always wanted to play at the next level and that has never changed,” Ackman said. “Baseball has always been my favorite sport and always will be.
“I have put literal blood, sweat, and tears into this sport.”
