SLIPPERY ROCK — It's been a long time since Marty Schaetzle held a baseball in his hand.

The Mercyhurst University football coach has no problem taking the mound and doing a little throwing, however — if that keeps Seneca Valley graduate Corbin Kessler interested in football.

Kessler is starting at safety as a true freshman at Mercyhurst. He had originally issued a verbal commitment to Eastern Michigan to play baseball.

“I love football,” Kessler said, shrugging his shoulders when asked what changed his mind. “I just didn't want to be done playing it yet.

“Will I miss baseball? Probably. It will feel strange not playing it next spring.”

Kessler was a shortstop-third baseman and No. 3 hitter for Seneca Valley last spring. He was one of the top hitters in the section.

This spring, he will be going through football drills, hitting teammates instead of fastballs.

“I'm willing to go pitch batting practice to him if that gives him his baseball fix,” Schaetzle said. “All I know is, the kid is a heck of a football player.

“To start for us as a true freshman ... That doesn't happen every day.”

Kessler is the only freshman starter on the Lakers' defensive unit. Four sophomores start on defense while four freshmen and two sophomores start on offense this season. Mercyhurst (2-4, 1-2) has the youngest lineup in the PSAC Western Division.

“I like what we're putting together here,” Kessler said.

A finance major at Mercyhurst, Kessler may have baseball as an option at Mercyhurst down the road. The last Mercyhurst athlete to play both sports was David Lough, a wide receiver and outfielder. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 2007 and has played in the major leagues with Kansas City and Baltimore.

“I'm a big baseball fan,” Schaetzle said. “Under the right circumstances, an athlete could do both sports here if he can handle the load. But combined with athletics, it could be a lot.”

Schaetzle need not worry about Kessler.

“My mind is on football now and in the immediate future,” Kessler said. “I'm thrilled to be here. I know I made the right decision.

“Coming in here as a freshman, I didn't expect to play much, if at all. Just keep quiet, do what I'm told to do and learn. The way things have worked out, I couldn't be happier.

“I started getting some reps at safety, then a little more ... All of a sudden, I was a starter,” he added.

Kessler is coming off his best collegiate game to date, collecting eight tackles and six solo stops in last Saturday's 37-25 loss at Slippery Rock. He has 11 solo tackles and 20 stops on the year.

As a senior at Seneca Valley, Kessler did a little bit of everything. He played quarterback on occasion. He rushed for 361 yards and five touchdowns, caught 20 passes for 394 yards and three TDs.

He had 1,001 all-purpose yards and led the Raiders defensively with 34 solo tackles and three interceptions from his safety position.

“Getting used to the physical strength and speed of football at this level has been a tough adjustment,” Kessler admitted. “I'm still making it.”

And Schaetzle understands that.

“There's growing pains we have to get through with any young player,” the coach said. “He's aggressive and mistakes happen. But Corbin is looking more comfortable with every game he plays.”

That's football, not baseball.

“I don't know if I'll ever go back to baseball,” Kessler said. “It's possible, I suppose, but I'm committed to football with this team and I'll see that through.”

Schaetzle will keep his arm loose, just in case.

“Whatever it takes,” he said. “We're just happy he's here.”