Kyle Fossum’s career hasn’t gone exactly how he expected it when he came out of high school in Seattle. But his 2025 campaign has met his expectations.

On the first pitch Friday, Fossum took Purdue Fort Wayne pitcher Tyson Greenwood deep. It was Fossum’s 18th home run of the season, setting the Youngstown State baseball record.

Former first baseman Andrew Kendrick held the previous record of 17, which was set in 2017.

“It’s not just me, it’s all the guys around me too,” Fossum said. “We have a super talented group of guys, we have a super talented group of starting pitchers and I think our offense is incredible.”

Friday’s game was suspended in the eighth inning with the Penguins ahead 9-6. The Penguins and Fort Wayne will continue their game on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The senior began his career with the Washington Huskies. He spent three years at Washington, starting 14 games.

After a conversation with YSU assistant coach Dylan Moser, the Penguins’ coach said he could succeed at a smaller program and have the opportunity to take on a leadership role.

Fossum had some connections with players in the Youngstown area, so he made the decision to join the Penguins.

Entering Friday’s game, the right fielder was hitting .384 with a .495 on-base percentage and an .821 slugging percentage, which was the fourth best in Division I.

“I always thought I was capable of doing what I’m doing, and honestly, I feel like I’m only brushing the surface,” Fossum said.

Fossum wants to improve on all aspects of his game, with the goal of hearing his name called by a Major League Baseball franchise when the draft rolls around this summer.

“I’ve gotten healthier, stronger, faster and just played the same game I’ve always played,” he said. “As time goes, I just get better.”

But before he can think about the future, Fossum has a senior season to complete in Youngstown.

He thinks the Penguins have the potential to make a run in the second half of the season. That would be a positive after starting 2025 with a 1-16 record. Since then, YSU has gone 9-14 after getting into the center of its Horizon League schedule.

Fossum has been a key piece in the improved YSU offense of late. And his growth and record-setting production is a byproduct of the last few years of collegiate baseball.

“The last few years have had some ups and downs, but they help create you as a player,” Fossum said. “And I feel that without all the things I went through over the last few years, I wouldn’t have been able to become who I am today.”