FIRST IN A SERIES (See details below)

PARMA, May 4 — At just 5’ 10” and 175 pounds, one might not guess at first glance that Kohan Merritt is one of the leaders of Cuyahoga Community College’s (Tri-C) baseball team.

But just watch him on the diamond.

Merritt is a classic ‘five tool’ player who can field, run, hit, hit with power, and throw. That is evidenced by his .420 batting average, .530 on base percentage 40+ stolen bases, and five home runs – four of them grand slams.

“Insane athleticism are the words I’d use to describe Kohan,” says his Tri-C Triceratops head coach Kyle Stahlberg. “He is an elite middle infield defender who has made numerous diving stops with subsequent Derek Jeter-esque style jumps and throws deep from the 5-6 hole.”

Stahlberg’s fellow coaches in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) agree with Stahlberg’s assessment. Merritt was named OCCAC player of the week at the end of April, coming off an eight-game stretch where had had 8 extra-base hits, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored.

Batting leadoff and playing shortstop for the Tops, Merritt is one of the key players who have helped Tri-C win 40 consecutive games, the longest winning college baseball streak in any division (DI, DII, DII, NJCAA, NAIA) this season. He’s helped propel Tri-C to its first-ever rating among the Top 25 teams in Division II of the National Junior College Athletic Association’s weekly rankings.

A native of Ontario, Merritt played shortstop at Belle River High School in Essex County, adjacent to Lake St. Clair. He visited Cuyahoga Community College in 2024, and came away wanting to play for the Tops.  “After my visit, Coach Stahlberg convinced me (to come to Tri-C), and I’m very glad I’m here,” he says.

Studying to become an electrical engineer, Merritt has been impressed with the quality of his academics and the comradery his teammates have developed as well. 

“We’re definitely close, (due to) all the time we’ve spent together, not just in baseball, but after school, hanging out, going to (Cleveland) Guardians games, and getting to know each other on a personal level,” he says. “I’m improving, both as a play and as a person.  I’m getting introduced to real-life skills (as a result of being at Tri-C.)”

Merritt credits assistant coach Tim Miller for helping him improve his defense. The shortstop has helped turn 10 double plays and more than 100 put-outs and assists so far this season for the Tops.

Once on, base, opposing teams know they have there hands full trying to contain Merritt. He has more than 40 steals so far on the season, and on numerous occasions he has swiped second and third base in the same inning.

“Kohan is an exceptional student of the game,” says Bryan Miller, Tri-C’s defense and base-running coach. “Base stealing is about taking advantage of all the small details you can pick up … Kohan never misses an opportunity to take another base because he’s looking for those opportunities all the time and giving 100 percent effort.

“He’s a great spark plug for our offense, and we’re extremely proud of all the hard work he has put into his base running,” Miller adds.

Merritt personifies what the team calls Tops ball, or working hard and taking advantage of every extra base opportunity that presents itself.  Whether it’s in the locker room, the weight room, or on the diamond, Kohan Merritt is striving to be the straw the stirs the drink for the Triceratops.

It’s no wonder that Merritt’s favorite quote comes from Thomas Edison: “There is no substitute for hard work.”

LISTEN TO AN INTERVIEW WITH KOHAN MERRITT HERE.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Cuyahoga Community College’s men’s baseball team has won 40 consecutive games, the longest winning streak among all NJCAA Division III college teams, in 2025. Now through their first playoff series, May 8-9, EYEONCLEVELAND.COM will feature daily profiles of the team and some of its key players. Here is our planned coverage.

SATURDAY, MAY 3 — Summary stories of two recent Tops victories.
Here’s the link: https://wp.me/p6cQl4-Y0

TODAY – MAY 4   Profile of Kohan Merritt

MONDAY – MAY 5  Profile of Jackson Boles

TUESDAY – MAY 6  Profile of Brendan Hazuda

WEDNESDAY – MAY 7 Profile of Diddy Farrell

THURSDAY – MAY 8 Profile of Keagan Gilbride

Members of Professor John Kerezy’s MJS 2070 Sports Reporting class and Professor Kerezy are writing the stories. Unless otherwise specified, all photographs appearing in these stories are taken by Steven Thiesen.

Cuyahoga Community College is also HOSTING the first round of the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XII playoffs, May 8-9, at Ron Mottl Field.  Eyeoncleveland.com is planning to cover some of the tournament playoff games as well. Subscribe or bookmark this page for more details as the playoffs approach.