Earning Every Inning: How The Road Back From Injury Shaped Utica Baseball's Ace
Story by Jordan Henkel (Melville, NY/Walt Whitman)

It is hard to talk about Utica Baseball without mentioning their ace pitcher, Kooper Knabe (Cortland, NY/Cortland). The Cortland native has been the heart and soul of the pitching staff since his freshman year in 2023, but a nagging injury almost derailed his stellar career. From Rookie of the Year in 2023, to the sidelines in 2024, and back to the All-Conference team in 2025, Knabe has worked hard to get to this point. For the Pioneer senior, every outing is a new opportunity to learn. This season, Knabe will play like he always has: by earning every inning.
 
The Breakout
 
"I came in really nervous. I never expected to start, let alone play on varsity. Usually, guys that come in don't go right to varsity, so I just wanted to pitch wherever I could," Knabe said. Following his freshman year, it is hard to believe that Knabe was ever nervous. Saying Knabe's 2023 campaign was historic is an understatement: the righty finished the year with a 7-1 record, a 2.17 ERA, and 46 strikeouts in 54 innings.
 
His seven pitching wins tied the program record for most wins in a season. He won multiple individual awards, including Empire 8 All-Conference First Team, All-ECAC Team, D3baseball.com All-Region 3 Third Team, and ABCA/Rawlings All-Region 3 Third Team.
 
Knabe also won Empire 8 Rookie of the Year honors, the first-ever Pioneer to win the award.
 
When asked how it feels to hold that honor, Knabe credited his parents mostly for keeping him grounded, alongside his coaches and teammates for helping him remain composed and truly feel at home here in Utica.
 
Finding a Home Away From Home
 
Knabe has always had a love for the game of baseball, mentioning, "I think that was just the first sport I ever picked up… growing up, I played golf, and then in fifth grade, I had to pick between lacrosse and baseball, so I went with baseball. It was the right choice. Where I grew up, we had a really big Little League program that was very good, so I think the baseball community really chose me." Knabe's hometown is about an hour or so down the road in Cortland, NY, and he was correct when he said his little league program was very good.
 
After a stellar senior year of high school, Knabe's Cortland High School Purple Tigers were crowned Section 3 Champions. Following that run, Knabe was named the Section 3 Pitcher of the Year and also named a finalist for All-CNY Player of the Year honors.
 
The Cortland and Utica connection is highly prevalent, mainly due to assistant coach Cory Haggerty, who has been an integral part of Knabe's Pioneer journey. Coach Haggerty, who was on the Pioneers' staff at the time, was a major player in Knabe's choice to attend Utica.
When asked about his recruitment process, Knabe recalled his story by saying, "I think three schools reached out to me, and I talked to them, but I never really got a great feeling from them. I was pitching at Cortland State over the summer of my junior year, and I didn't even know Utica was there to watch me — my coach set that up. After I was done pitching, and I pitched pretty well, Coach Haggerty came up to me, introduced himself, and we talked a little bit. He said good job and that he'd be reaching out soon. Then he invited me for a visit here. I came out, met with the pitching coach, then with Coach Milazzo, walked around campus, and they showed me around. I really felt at home here. Later that week, I committed here."
 
Coach Haggerty, who is in the Cortland Ring of Honor, was a four-year player for the Red Dragons and was later drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 2003 MLB Draft. Knabe credits Haggerty's professionalism and openness as to why he chose to follow him to Utica.
 
After leaving to coach at his alma mater for a few years, Coach Haggerty is back on the Pioneer staff for the 2026 season, much to the excitement of Knabe.
 
Knabe credited many upperclassmen as to why he felt at home when he came to Utica, but it was one of his closest friends that made the adjustment to college life that much easier: "My high school buddy (Caden Congdon) also committed here, and we were roommates freshman year, so that made it easier coming into college knowing someone right off the bat. The first week was really stressful, just being on my own and meeting new teammates. I'm not really a social guy until I kind of gel with people."
 
He also credits then senior Noah Barber, who was a catcher here at Utica when Knabe was an incoming recruit. Another name mentioned was shortstop Brendan May, whom Knabe has known most of his life.
 
The Rhythm to the Rhyme: Behind the Scenes of Success
 
Knabe said it himself that he could not have the success he had without the support from his teammates, who welcomed him with open arms, as well as the stellar coaching staff behind head coach Joe Milazzo.
 
Alongside the aforementioned Coach Haggerty, Knabe also credited Coach Landy with helping aid in his early development. Coach Landy was the pitching coach during Knabe's freshman season, with the now-senior recalling, "the pitching coach — Coach Landy, who is no longer here — I really think his pitch style was a big part of my successful season. He just taught me how to locate pitches, go in against batters, go out, and also game planning going into the game. I never really looked at hitters before I was facing them before college, and I think that was a big part of being successful in each game."
 
When asked what makes Coach Milazzo stand out, Knabe didn't hesitate.
 
"Coach Milazzo is as real as it gets," he said. "He's been around the game for a long time and coached a lot of different ball clubs. At the end of the day, he's about throwing strikes and getting outs. If you do that, you're going to play — and I respect that."
 
Knabe also emphasized Milazzo's deep knowledge of the game.
 
"He knows so much about baseball. If players take what he says as a positive and apply it, they'll become better players and better teammates. Sometimes, guys hear it and don't always act on it, but everything he says comes from experience. He's seen a lot, and he knows what works."
 
After arriving on campus, unsure of where he would fit in, Knabe quickly found his rhythm. But once he got his opportunity, he leaned into what made him successful.
 
"I think it was just going out on the mound and doing what I can do — not trying to replicate anybody else, just playing my own game."
 
That confidence grew as he learned to trust the team around him.
 
"Coming in, I've always been a strikeout guy," Knabe said. "But after the first few games and seeing how my defense played behind me, I realized I didn't have to strike everyone out. I could put the ball in play and let them make the outs."
 
That adjustment proved critical as "it helped with my pitch count and allowed me to stay in games longer."
 
With a strong command of the strike zone, a willingness to trust his defense, and a mature approach to preparation, Knabe turned what was supposed to be a learning year into a breakout campaign.
 
The Injury
 
After his great freshman year, there was a lot of hype to see what the reigning Empire 8 Rookie of the Year had in store for the 2024 campaign. Knabe said that he "was just looking at what other awards I could win, really pushing for Pitcher of the Year for the conference. Just coming in and being a starter again and proving myself."
 
After beginning the year with an array of solid starts, following a March 25th start against Houghton, Knabe knew something was wrong.
 
"After I pitched at Houghton, I think I just overused it — too many pitches in that game. I threw 110, which is the most I've ever thrown, and maybe I didn't recover fully. I went to see (head athletic trainer Dan Senif) for my wrist, did some treatment, took a week or two off, started to throw again, but it didn't get better. Then I saw a professional doctor and got an MRI. There was no ligament damage — it was wrist tendonitis. I wore a splint for two weeks, slowly started throwing again, but it didn't work. I tried pitching against Sage on the road, went two innings, and it hurt again, so I got pulled."
 
Tendonitis is a difficult injury to overcome. It affects everyone differently; it could be gone in a week or two, or it can linger for months or even years. For the ace of the Utica Baseball pitching staff, it couldn't have come at a worse time.
 
"It was tough mentally to go through it and not be able to pitch. It was the first time I was ever hurt in my career, so it was different. I didn't really know what to think, so I just listened to (Dan) and trusted what (the trainers) were telling me."
 
Luckily for Knabe, the support he had here at Utica helped him immensely. He credits his roommates during the time, as being with those guys every day pushed Knabe to work harder to get back.
 
Knabe was also extremely appreciative of the Utica athletic training staff and head athletic trainer Dan Senif, as he spent hours in the training room each day during the season in hopes of getting better.
 
Knabe recalled his time in the training room, mentioning that "we spent a lot of time together, especially with the training staff. We talked about the season, the games, what we're seeing, and how we're feeling physically. For me, a lot of it was about my wrist — when I could throw again and when I'd be able to come back."
 
Finally, he also mentioned the coaching staff, who were always asking how he felt.
 
"If it hurt, they told me not to throw and just take it easy. They wanted me to pitch, but they mainly wanted me to be healthy."
 
When Knabe was pulled after throwing two innings against Russell Sage in April, he did not appear again for the rest of the 2024 season.
 
The Lessons Learned and The Return
 
One of the biggest lessons Knabe took from his injury was something simple — but transformative.
 
"The biggest thing was arm care," he said. "I never really focused on it before. Now, after throwing, I make sure I take care of my arm every time. I also warm up better before each start — I'm more methodical and intentional with what I'm doing. I really can't throw without warming up now because I feel tight if I don't."
 
During the summer rehab process, staying connected to the team helped him push through.
 
"The coaches reached out the most. A few players checked in, too," he said. "My parents were a big part of helping me through it as well."
 
Physically, he made changes to prevent history from repeating itself.
 
"I focused on putting on weight — kind of bulletproofing my body. More weight helps reduce stress on the muscles and tendons. I also looked at my mechanics to see if anything was different from the year I hurt my wrist compared to the year before. Recovery became a big priority."
 
When he finally returned to game action, there were mixed emotions.
 
"It was weird at first," he admitted. "I was a little nervous, but I'm nervous every time I pitch. I had a 65-pitch limit, so I just tried to make the most of it. I went five innings, which felt pretty good." There were some moments of doubt. "When that week came around where I started to feel something again, I thought, 'Am I going to get hurt again?' That was in the back of my mind. But I tried not to focus on it — just treat it like a new year, a fresh start."
 
Mentally, Knabe keeps things simple when he's on the mound.
 
"In games, I don't try to think about too much. It's just one batter at a time — get him out and get off the field. If I overthink things, it can ruin an outing." The preparation happens long before game day. "The week before I pitch, I think about scenarios. I watch the other team, study hitters, and get ready so that by the time the game comes, I don't have to think about all of that. I've already done the work."
 
Now, healthier and more intentional than ever, Knabe isn't just pitching — he's pitching smarter.
 
Knabe came back for the 2025 season completely healthy and returned to his ace stature. He finished the campaign with a 6-1 record on the mound, a 1.60 WHIP, and 30 strikeouts in 46.1 innings pitched. He was awarded Empire 8 All-Conference second team for his efforts. In a moment signifying that the 2023 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year was back, Knabe was handed the ball for the first round of the 2025 Empire 8 Conference Tournament against Houghton. Despite the loss, the conference took notice that Knabe had returned in full force.
 
A Proud Pioneer Legacy
 
When asked what makes him proud to wear the Pioneer jersey, Knabe pointed to the culture within the program.
 
"We play for each other," he said. "Everyone hangs out together, everyone talks. There aren't really any cliques or groups that get pushed aside. It's a tight-knit team."
 
If a recruit were to ask him what sets the program apart, his answer would be simple.
 
"It's the teammates. Everyone wants the best for everyone else. It's a really professional setting. If you want to get better and earn playing time, you have to put the work in yourself. Nothing is given to you — you don't just show up and get better overnight. You have to earn it."
 
Knabe believes that professionalism carries beyond the field.
 
"The only person who's going to make you better is yourself," he said. "That applies in the classroom, too. You're responsible for your grades just like you're responsible for your playing time. It's all about accountability."
 
As for supporting his teammates, Knabe leads by example — reinforcing the mindset that success comes from daily effort, discipline, and pushing each other to improve. When asked about the legacy he hopes to leave behind, Knabe didn't mention wins, strikeouts, or awards.
 
"I just want to be remembered as a good teammate," he said. "I really don't care about my personal success here. It's cool that I've been a starter, but I never came in expecting that."
 
For Knabe, the impact goes beyond what shows up in the box score.
 
"It's about helping the younger guys grow, watching them get better, and doing whatever I can to support them," he said. "If I can leave knowing I helped someone improve and made the team better, that's enough for me."
 
More than anything, he hopes the relationships last long after his playing days are over.
 
"Just keeping in contact with people in the future," he added. "That's what really matters."
 
Looking Ahead
 
Knabe is once again set to lead the Pioneer pitching staff into battle for the 2026 campaign. Looking ahead to his final season with the Pioneers, Knabe has clear goals — both for himself and for the team.
 
"First, I want to win the conference and just win games," he said. "Personally, I want to get deep into games, pitch every week, not miss a start, and just compete. I'm 11 strikeouts away from 100, but that's just one good start. The biggest thing is staying healthy and helping teammates learn and grow. When I'm done, I want them to remember me as a good teammate and someone who helped them."
 
Along with being so close to 100 strikeouts, Knabe is also five wins away from breaking the all-time Pioneer career wins record, a historic milestone that fans should try to catch during the upcoming season.
 
Knabe's attention to detail extends beyond his performance on the mound. He's developed routines and superstitions that help him stay focused and consistent.
 
"I tuck in my shoelaces every day with every shoe," he said. "When I'm pitching, I try to stand in the same spot and do the same routine after every inning. I don't chirp at all when I'm pitching because I don't want it coming back at me. In warm weather, I'll walk around the outfield barefoot to connect to the earth. I like that feeling of being grounded."
 
Despite the individual habits and personal milestones, Knabe remains grounded in gratitude and teamwork.
 
"Definitely my parents, coaches, and teammates," he said. "For me, it's just trying to win every game I start and give the team the best chance to win."
 
Knabe is just one piece in a massive returning class for the Pioneers that looks to defeat opponents with their consistency and longevity. This season should be exciting for the team, with a superstar rotation and lots of balanced bats. Be sure to catch the team as they attempt to return to the Empire 8 Championship series this season!
 
The Pioneers will head down to Florida this week to participate in the annual RussMatt Invitational, battling against top teams such as Washington & Jefferson and Drew University. Keep an eye on the baseball schedule page for links to those matchups. Interested spectators will have to pay a small fee to view any of the spring break games, as organized by the RussMatt leadership.
 
Be sure to tune in when the orange and blue return to New York, as the team will head to Murnane Field for a pair of series to conclude March! The Pioneers will take on SUNY Poly on March 20th and 22nd, before battling SUNY Canton on March 25th. All of those games can be viewed on the Empire 8 Network by heading to the following link: https://www.empire8network.com/utica/
 
You can view the entire 2026 schedule by heading to this link: https://uticapioneers.com/sports/baseball/schedule
 
Also, be sure to follow the team on Instagram! - @uticabsb
Link: https://www.instagram.com/uticabsb/?hl=en