Biography
Career: Finished sixth all-time in the modern era at NCCU in games started with 140 and in games played with 157, and also charted in the top-10 of the power categories at the plate. Finished sixth in slugging percentage at .427, 10th in on base percentage at .377, tied for fourth with 28 doubles, and third in home runs with 17. Generated 74 RBI to finish sixth in that category, collected 206 total bases to finish sixth in that stat, and was ninth in total hits with 127. Was very patient at the plate and finished second in career walks with 84.
2017: Third Team All-MEAC. Started all 50 games, and played all but two behind the plate. Batted .275 and slugged .401 with a team-high tying five home runs, which was tied for fifth in the MEAC. Racked up 22 RBI with 46 total hits and six doubles. Had an on base percentage of .383 and was top-10 in the MEAC with 31 walks, the third-most on the team. Was third on the team with 14 multi-hit games, and tied for fourth with six multi-RBI games. Went 4-for-4 against NJIT (March 4) with a home run and two runs scored, and drove in a season-high three RBI against Navy (Feb. 19) on a 2-for-3 day with a homer and two runs scored. Homered in back-to-back games during a series with Iona (Feb. 25 and 26). Had three three-walk games against Navy (Feb. 18), North Carolina A&T (March 10), and Florida A&M (April 1). Held a seven-game hit streak to finish the season with four multi-hit games, and had a 13-game streak of reaching base safely from March 14 to April 1. MEAC All-Academic Team selection.
2016: Appeared in 53 games and started 52 as a catcher, the most appearances and starts on the team. Led the team in home runs with 10, becoming the second Eagle to hit double-digit home runs in a season in the modern era. Carried the second-highest slugging percentage on the team at .486, a career-high and 10th most in a single-season in the modern era. Had an on-base percentage of .367 with a team-high 32 walks drawn. Finished 10th in the league in slugging percentage, tied for second in home runs, and fifth in walks. Had seven multi-hit games including a big 3-for-5 game against Campbell (March 22) with two home runs and five RBI.
2015: Played 35 games and started 31. Batted .265 and set career highs at the plate with 27 hits, two home runs, eight doubles, 14 RBI and 15 runs scored. Had an on base percentage of .381 and slugged .402. Made 168 putouts behind the plate and caught six runners stealing. Hit first career home run at Charleston Southern (March 11) going 2-for-5 with a double, three RBI and three runs scored. Went 5-for-5 at North Carolina A&T (April 3) with a double, two RBI, three runs scored and a steal. Had a career-high four RBI day against Virginia State (April 1) going 1-for-2 with two walks, two runs scored and a steal.
2014: Played in 19 games in his rookie season, started in seven. Batted .324 (11-for-34) that included two multi-hit games. Went 3-for-4 with his first career double against Duke on April 16. Recorded his first career RBI in the 16-12 win over Longwood where he went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Hit a two-RBI single in the 12-6 win over Virginia State.
High School (Detroit Jesuit H.S.): Led team in hits, doubles, and RBI. Senior year, batted .390 with two home runs, two triples, 16 doubles. Was named All-league and All-district senior year. Three-time District champs (2011, 2012, 2013). 2013 Regional champions. Editor-in chief of school newspaper. Earned academic honors all four years.
Personal: Born January 27, 1993 in Warren, Michigan. Parents are Athena and Joseph Kovalcik. Major at NCCU is Chemistry with a concentration in Pre-Med.
