Zach Kokoska was only leading off base when he flirted with leaving Virginia Tech in May.

Now, he's off and running — and he hopes to swipe a new opportunity in college baseball.

The former Latrobe star and Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year announced Friday he is transferring to Kansas State.

It's been a long and crazy journey with ups and downs, but I now have found a home to spend the next 3 years at. With that being said, I would like to announce that I have committed to play baseball at Kansas State University to immediately start playing in the fall. #GoWildcats pic.twitter.com/vDUml5wO9e

— Zach Kokoska (@ZachKokoska) July 7, 2018

Kokoska initially said he was heading to Palm Beach State College, but those plans changed after he received NCAA clearance to play right away at another Division I program.

A coaching change also played a key role in his move.

He will not have to sit out a year. He believes he may have gotten lost in the shuffle at Virginia Tech.

"My old coach at Virginia Tech that I committed to is now the assistant coach at Kansas State," Kokoska said. "Kansas State believes in me much more as a player, and Virginia Tech gave me limited opportunity to show what I can do with the new coaching staff."

Kokoska, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound left-hander, was recruited as an outfielder and pitcher. He played in 14 games for Virginia Tech (21-33), including one start as a designated hitter.

He hit .267 and had four RBIs. He did not pitch.

Kokoska helped lead Latrobe to WPIAL and PIAA Class 5A championships in 2015.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

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