While most other college students spent their summers at home with family or visiting the beach, a pair of 2013 Wright City graduates were busy perfecting the sport they love.A commitment to play college baseball didn’t just stop in May for Austin Meine and Tyler Tuepker.The pitching duo took only a few days off after their college seasons ended before reporting to their Summer Collegiate League teams.Tuepker, who plays for Missouri Western University, spent his summer among the starting rotation for the Sedalia Bombers.“It was a really good experience,” said Tuepker. “I learned a lot, and the competition was a lot better because I was playing against mostly Division I guys.”Tuepker made eight appearances, going 3-3 as a starter for the MINK (Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas) League Division Champions. He carried a 5.45 ERA through 38 innings, striking out 16 batters and walking 13.“We’d have four or five Major League scouts at each of our home games,” said Tuepker. “When you were pitching, all you could see were radar guns.”During his first season at Missouri Western, Tuepker had a 6.06 ERA through 32 innings. He made 16 appearances, going 2-3 as a starter. He whiffed 20 batters and walked 14.“I know most guys take off, but this is one of the best summers I’ve had playing ball,” said Tuepker. “Being around the game every day helped. Even just to talk baseball was awesome.”Meine, who is entering his sophomore year at St. Louis Community College, was fourth on the team with 47 innings pitched. He made 10 appearances, going 3-4 as a starter. Meine sported a 6.99 ERA, striking out 36 batters and walking 15.This summer he played for the Joplin Outlaws, who are also a member of the MINK League.“It was pretty awesome to play with a bunch of kids from around the country, from all different levels,” said Meine. “It was neat to see where everybody came from.”Meine says he kept a busy schedule, playing 50 games with only four days off from baseball the entire summer.“I started off really well,” said Meine. “I was a long relief type pitcher, and my first appearances went pretty well.”His numbers weakened later in the season, as he says he faced higher caliber batters.“Pitching against the really good competition was a great experience,” said Meine. “Across the league there were several players who had been drafted before. I definitely feel like it prepared me for this upcoming college season.”While playing in the Summer Collegiate Club, Meine and Tuepker are housed by host families in those communities.“I had a host brother and a host sister, and they were pretty awesome,” said Meine. “It’s a pretty cool relationship you get to build.”Meine and Tuepker’s summer league assignments were facilitated by their respective college coaches, looking to find the best fit for each player. While Meine had teammates from his college team joining him on the Outlaws, many of the players were from across the country. Tuepker is actually expecting to be sent to a league on the East or West Coast next summer.MEINE THROWSSubmitted photo.