Fort Recovery Graduate Alex Dues Commits to Ball State Baseball

Fort Recovery graduate and Grand Lake Mariners pitcher Alex Dues is taking the next step in his college baseball career at Ball State University.

Dues told WCSM’s Kevin Sandler that he recently committed to the NCAA Division I program after entering the transfer portal following two seasons at Marietta College.

Ball State had been one of Dues’ preferred destinations because of its proximity to home. The opportunity developed quickly after members of the Ball State program watched him pitch for the Mariners against the Lima Locos.

Dues threw the final three innings of the game and said he received a text later that night. Ball State called with an offer the following morning, and Dues committed one day later.

“It was a pretty easy decision for me,” Dues said. “I’ve personally heard a lot of good things about Ball State from people who have gone there.”

Dues said entering the transfer portal required him to first speak with Marietta’s compliance officer. Once his name was officially entered, the recruiting process brought back some familiar feelings.

“It kind of felt like I was in high school again, just trying to find somewhere to play,” Dues said.

The uncertainty was one of the more difficult parts of the process. Dues said people frequently asked where he would attend school in the fall, but for a period of time, he did not have an answer.

“It was kind of weird for the longest time,” Dues said. “But it ended up working out toward the end.”

Dues developed into a regular member of Marietta’s bullpen during the 2026 season. He appeared in 15 games, finishing 1-1 with a 5.47 earned-run average and 12 strikeouts over 24⅔ innings. He was also named Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference and College Sports Communicators Academic All-District.

He has continued his development this summer with the Grand Lake Mariners. The 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher has earned multiple wins and saves while helping the Mariners compete in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League. He was also selected as one of Grand Lake’s pitchers for the league’s 2026 All-Star Game.

Before beginning his college career, Dues was a three-sport athlete at Fort Recovery High School, competing in baseball, basketball and golf. He earned first-team All-Midwest Athletic Conference and second-team All-Ohio honors in baseball in 2023. He later helped the Indians finish as the 2024 state runner-up.

Dues expects to have three seasons of baseball eligibility remaining at Ball State.

Academically, he plans to pursue degrees in business management and finance, depending on how his credits transfer. He said he is considering a future career as a financial adviser.

While his college destination is changing, Dues said baseball will continue to be an important part of his life. He is also a longtime Cincinnati Reds fan and remains hopeful the franchise will eventually put together another championship run.

“Hopefully someday,” Dues said.