Something I learned at Rochelle, specifically with both sports I played, was that nothing is guaranteed and I have to work for everything I get.”

Nate Burdin

A second chance allowed former Rochelle student-athlete Nate Burdin to return to the baseball diamond at Rockford University after an elbow injury nearly derailed his collegiate career. 

Burdin concluded his high school career at RTHS as an All-Conference First Team honoree in the Interstate 8, recording a 2.77 ERA with 39 strikeouts over 43 innings pitched during his senior season. Burdin, who also slashed .462/.514/.544 with 30 hits and eight stolen bases as a senior, decided that he would continue his academics and athletics at Rock Valley College.

Burdin’s future quickly changed, however, after the former Hub left-hander suffered an injury to his elbow during a bullpen session this past fall. While Burdin avoided a torn UCL, which would’ve required Tommy John surgery, the injury sidelined him for a period of several months.

“I reached out to coach [Chad] Herren at RVC and he said I could hop on,” Burdin said. “I went there in the fall and I hurt my elbow during a bullpen with the team. I decided with the medical staff that I could save my eligibility… I still wanted to compete, so I hopped on the golf team because one of my buddies who I played baseball with was on the team there. I played golf so I could have something to do while healing my arm so I could get back to the game I love.”

After completing his first year at Rock Valley College, Burdin made his return to baseball with the Rockford Prospects and competed in the Metro Collegiate Summer League. It was during that summer when Burdin rekindled his relationship with Rockford University head baseball coach Bob Koopmann, who Burdin said recruited him heavily during his time at RTHS. 

The relationship led to Burdin transferring and continuing his academics and athletics at Rockford University, where the RTHS alum not only played a full season, but took on a big role with the baseball team. On the mound, Burdin made nine appearances with eight starts, throwing 40 innings and striking out 28 batters with one complete game. Burdin, who also played left field for the Regents, recorded 21 hits and scored 11 runs over 91 at-bats. 

“I came out and had a really hot start to the season,” Burdin said. “I was pitching really well and I was near the top of the team in batting average… I like to play every single day and I don’t like to sit, so it was nice to still be a two-way player, which is what I did in high school. It was a great experience this year. We had some great trips and our team is really young, so I think we have a chance to make it back to the conference tournament and go farther than we did this year.”

Burdin went 4-3 on the mound during his first season at Rockford University. The former Hub made his pitching debut for the Regents during a nonconference game against Asbury University, which was played at the University of Kentucky’s baseball facility. Among Burdin’s highlights on the mound were a five-inning, eight-strikeout performance against Wisconsin Lutheran on April 9 and a six-inning, six-strikeout outing against Concordia Chicago on April 17.

“I thought I improved my command on the mound the most,” Burdin said. “I was able to mix my pitches and get outs quickly. I was able to mentally push through the ups and downs of a 40-game season… The number one thing for me going into next season is to produce more at the plate, particularly during conference play. I want to get off to another good start during our out-of-conference trips and I want to continue finding ways to get wins on the mound.”

Burdin, who’s currently studying accounting at Rockford University, was named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll in 2024 and is holding a 4.0 GPA. A two-time Academic All-Conference honoree during his junior and senior seasons with the RTHS football and baseball programs, Burdin said his goal is to graduate with a degree and become a certified public accountant.

“Something I learned at Rochelle, specifically with both sports I played, was that nothing is guaranteed and I have to work for everything I get,” Burdin said. “Rochelle does a good job of making us earn our spots and pushing us to come in and work hard everyday. I learned to set my goals high and something that always helped me were the summer workouts. I had long days going from football in the mornings to baseball in the afternoons, but those days made me the player I was and if I can get through those days, I can take that drive into college ball.”