YOUNGSTOWN — Call it bonus time.

Youngstown State University baseball coach Dan Bertolini refers to it as “a true success story.”

It's actually both.

Knoch graduate Dylan Swarmer's sudden success behind the plate for the Penguins has provided YSU with a bonus at the catcher position.

“What Dylan did as a freshman last year was amazing,” Bertolini said. “I didn't expect to play him at all. We had a fifth-year senior and returning starter back there.

“Dylan was likely going to be a red-shirt.”

Instead, he became one of the most dependable backstops in the Horizon League.

Nick Caruso was YSU's veteran catcher going into the 2019 season. He was injured early and was forced to leave the lineup for the season.

And Swarmer worked his way into it.

“At the beginning of the season, I figured I might get some playing time,” Swarmer said. “I knew it'd be a struggle to get on the field, so I didn't take it for granted. When the opportunity came along, I was ready for it.”

“That kid worked so hard on his defense,” Bertolini said. “That was the part of his game we were suspect about.

“He put in so much time with Eric Bunnell, our catching coach. Dylan became so solid back there, we couldn't keep him out of the lineup.”

Swarmer wound up catching 41 games for the Penguins his freshman year. He started the team's final 31 games.

Defensively, he said the biggest adjustment was catching so many quality pitches.

“At this level, all of these pitchers are good,” Swarmer said. “I had to work on framing their pitches better, not moving the glove after I caught the ball.”

Offensively, he drew 17 walks, scored 14 runs and threw out 11 runners trying to steal. The latter figure was fourth in the Horizon League.

Swarmer's 256 putouts were eighth in the league and his three triples tied for fourth in the circuit. He went 5-for-5 in a game at Penn State, sharing the Horizon League lead in hits for a single game. He homered twice against Wright State.

Not bad for a team that finished 13-41, its 12th consecutive season of finishing at least 10 games below .500.

Swarmer was not discouraged by YSU's recent baseball history when he joined the program. In fact, he was encouraged by what might lie ahead.

“I was a late recruit,” he said. “They didn't need a catcher until I finished my senior year. When I saw the great facilities on campus and how the program was on the rise, it made my decision to come pretty easy.

“I want to be part of this program's development.”

And it's developing quickly.

“I believe we're turning the corner right now,” said Bertolini, in his fifth season. “You could see that this year.”

The Penguins began the 2020 season 7-7 before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the campaign. Caruso — back from a medical red-shirt — was splitting time with Swarmer behind the plate.

Because seniors were granted another year because of the pandemic, Caruso will split time with Swarmer again next year.

“We're so deep at catcher. We have a third guy who's pretty good,” Bertolini said. “It's getting guys who have won in the past that will help turn this thing around.”

Swarmer has no problem with sharing time behind the plate.

“Coming in here and being ahle to watch a catcher with the expetience Nick has, and to be able to work with him and learn from him ... He's been a big help to me,” Swarmer said.

Before this year, YSU was 60-156 over the previous four years, 156-390 over the previous 10.

Fellow Knoch graduate Dom Bucko — a starting outfielder who joined YSU's program this season — and Swarmer played on championship teams at Knoch. Swarmer also played for title teams in the Youngstown Class B League and in the Palomino East Zone Tournament.

“Dom has provided a spark this program needed,” Swarmer said. “He's a winner.”

“You can see the attitude on this team changing,” Bertolini agreed. “Had this season played out, I really believe we would have been (Horizon League) title contenders.”

With three years left to play, Swarmer — a business administration major — has definite goals in mind.

“Win as many league championships as possible,” he said. “If I can, I'd love to set myself up to play at the next level.

“I'm a power hitter, but I know I can hit for a higher average (.225 in 2019). Just keep hitting the ball hard and keep improving.”