Furman: Proven performer and one the best closers in the Southern Conference and in Furman baseball history...possesses ideal qualities for the task -- great control, mental toughness, competitiveness, consistency, intelligence, and an unflappable demeanor....major key to Furman's potential success...cut fastball is his most effective pitch....heads into the season ranked third on Furman's career saves ledger (16), just five shy of the school record held by Nick Holstegge (2004-07)...career also includes work as a catcher, designated hitter, and first baseman. 2009 -- Endured a frustrating, yet productive season that included a five-week mid-season absence due to a sore shoulder...went 1-1 with a 3.80 ERA and team high four saves...made five appearances that included 7 2/3 innings of shutout ball (9 K) and one save before being forced to the sideline for over five weeks (Mar. 9-Apr. 16) and a span of 23 games...recorded a save in a 4-3 win over Wofford (1.0 IP, 0 R, 1 BB) in his second appearance back following injury...pitched three gutsy innings (3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K) in extra frames in an eventual 11-10, 15-inning triumph over Western Carolina...lone victory came in a 3-2 decision over UNC Greensboro (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K) that secured Furman's SoCon Tournament berth...was charged with the loss (0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K) in a 10-8 setback to No. 1 seed Elon and regular season champion Elon in SoCon Tournament action...came back the next day to garner the save in scoreless inning of work against College of Charleston (6-5 win)...started a pair of games as a designated hitter and also served as a pinch-hitter...went 3-for-12 (.250) and drove in five runs...delivered a pinch-hit, two-run double in a 6-5 win over Presbyterian, and later had a pinch-hit, two-run single in Furman's 16-6 triumph over PC in Clinton...named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll...fashioned another impressive season in the Great Lakes Summer League, going 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA (15.1 IP, 10 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 10 K) and league high nine saves with the Licking County Settlers...team went 22-13...opponents hit just .182 against him...was rated the 13th best prospect in the GLSL by Perfect Game. 2008 -- Consensus second team All-SoCon relief pitcher selection...posted a 5-0 record and 3.71 ERA with a team leading nine saves...save tally ranked fourth in the SoCon and was the second highest season total in program history... played a key role in Furman posting a school record 33 wins (33-24), third place (17-10) SoCon regular season finish, and school record 13 straight SoCon wins...paced the squad with 33 appearances, all in the relief....worked 43 2/3 innings, yielding only nine walks while recording 45 strikeouts...captured SoCon Pitcher of the Week honors on April 7 after keying Furman to 4-1 mark with 4 2/3 innings of shutout ball, recording a win and two saves while also going 4-for-6 at the plate...victory came in 10-9 triumph over Presbyterian and two saves were registered in 5-2 (1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K) and 5-4 (2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K) victories over UNC Greensboro...in first 16 appearances (21.1 IP), posted a 2-0 record and 0.42 ERA with five saves, including one in Furman's 4-2 win over 10th-ranked South Carolina...picked up a pair of saves in three-game weekend sweeps over both Western Carolina and Davidson and helped Furman secure a series decision with a save (1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K) in a 6-5 triumph over Georgia Southern in the regular season finale...recorded a pair of starts at both catcher and designated hitter...went 6-for-18 at the plate (.333) with a pair of doubles...named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll....fashioned an outstanding 2008 summer league campaign with the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League Delaware Cows, earning first team team All-GLSCL honors after recording nine saves and a 1.80 ERA in leading his squad to a 24-15 record....worked 21.2 innings (13 H, 29 K). 2007 -- Saw action in 21 games at catcher and made 15 starts...served as the backup to All-SoCon performer Tony Maccani...hit .240 with one home run and six RBI...fielded at a .986 clip, making only one error in 73 chances...went 2-for-4 and delivered a game tying two-run, eighth inning home run in an eventual 6-5 win over Lafayette...went 2-for-3 with an RBI vs. Tennessee (12-7 loss)...emerged at mid-season as a solid relief pitcher and by the of the year had taken over the role of closer from senior Nick Hollstegge, Furman's career saves leader (21)...made 11 appearances -- all in relief...in 13.0 innings struck out 14 batters and did not issue a walk...was brilliant over the final three weeks of the season, recording three saves in his final four appearances (6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K)...earned his first career save with a perfect inning of work (2 K) in a 9-7 win over Charleston Southern...came back the next day to record a save (1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K) in a 6-3 victory over 16th-ranked Clemson, helping him land SoCon Pitcher-of-the-Week honors...third save came in a 6-4 win over Georgia State (1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K)...finished off the campaign with a season best 2.0 innings (1 H, 0 BB, 1 K) in 7-3 triumph over The Citadel...named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll.
High School: 2006 graduate of Olentangy (Division I-A) High School...baseball coach was Steve Little...saw action at pitcher, catcher, and third base...batted .431 for his career with 29 doubles and seven home runs...program went 64-20 (41-4 record over the final 45 games)...garnered first team all-state honors as a senior after batting .425 with nine doubles and 27 RBI...2006 Mizuno All-Ohio and 2005-06 Team Ohio selection...helped his squad to a 30-3 record, district and region crowns, and state runner-up finish...tossed a 1-0 shutout over Newark in regional title game...team was ranked No. 1 in state and No. 24 nationally by Baseball America...keyed squad to 19-9 finish and first district crown in 64 years his junior year with .489 average...twice named all-county, including county player-of-the-year in 2005...section leader for Olentangy's marching and concert bands.
Personal: Full name is Nicholas Alexander Karow...son of Alexander and Robin Karow...has two sisters: Jennifer and Angela...born April 4, 1988, in Newark, Ohio...uncle, John Reale, played baseball in the St. Louis Cardinals organization...carries a 3.23 grade point average...earth and environmental science major.
