On Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, Council Rock North seniors Andrew Mancini, Nick D’Apolito, Mitchell Whitney and Matt Roda were recognized for committing to continue their baseball careers at the collegiate level. (Photos provided courtesy of Council Rock North baseball.)
Nick D’Apolito– Arcadia University (Baseball)
Major: Biology with a concentration in conservation
Final list of colleges: Arcadia, Gettysburg College and Delaware Valley University
Reasons for choosing Arcadia: “I feel that Arcadia is a great fit for me academically. They have a very competitive baseball program, and I connected very well with the entire coaching staff. I like the fact that the school is close to home.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in baseball at the collegiate level? “I’ve known for years that I wanted to play at the collegiate level. The recruiting process started my junior year when I started playing in college showcase events. When I met with Coach (Bryan) Torresani and after visiting the school, I felt at home.”
Coach Matt Schram says: “I’ve coached and worked with Nick since he was 8 years old. He is a hardworking, incredibly athletic baseball player, and he had an awesome junior year for us. He’s a two-way player for us – he plays the outfield and he pitches. He always played infield up until last year. We moved him to the outfield, which helped his hitting and his pitching. He’s a big strong kid and has a bionic arm. There aren’t many kids who are as passionate about the game as Nick is. He is going to do great things for Arcadia, and he is one who can play anywhere on the field. Nick has grasped this game and the team concept to the next level. His future is going to shine.”
About Nick:
Favorite food: Lamb Chops
Favorite movie: Finding Nemo
Favorite music: Classic Rock- The Beatles, Boston, Tom Petty and Red Hot Chili Peppers
Andrew Mancini– Susquehanna University (Baseball)
Major: Business
Final list of colleges: Susquehanna, The University of Scranton and McDaniel University
Reasons for choosing Susquehanna: “Susquehanna has one of the top undergraduate business schools, a nationally recognized global opportunities program and competitive baseball team. I also was looking for a school that had a great ROTC program. I believe Susquehanna is a great fit for me as it provided me with all of these options as a student athlete.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in baseball at the collegiate level? “I’ve always wanted to play college baseball. Being part of a team is who I am. I’ve played baseball since first grade and most of those years as a catcher. I love the game. My coaches have taught me on and off the field to help me get to the next level and I can’t thank them enough. The recruiting process started for me during the summer of my junior year.”
Coach Matt Schram says: “Andrew is a hardnosed, hardworking, tough kid who exemplifies what a leader is and what it takes to be a full-time catcher. He lives and breathes leadership, and truly will run through walls for my team, my coaching staff and this program. He is probably the strongest, toughest kid I’ve ever been around. He’s the kind of kid where if he didn’t have to wear equipment he’d still go back there and catch. He’s that tough. He led the team last year in getting hit by pitches and sprinting to first base. Part of the reason he’s going to Susquehanna is because they have an ROTC program, and he wants to get into the military. I see him after his college baseball career in the military, fighting for our country. He’s that kind of a kid. Susquehanna is getting a true competitor on all facets of the game.”
About Andrew:
Favorite food: Cheesesteak
Favorite movie: Lone Survivor
Favorite music: Going The Distance (Rocky)
Matt Roda– University of Scranton (Baseball)
Major: Business - Finance
Final list of colleges: The University of Scranton, Dickinson College, Gettysburg College, Swarthmore College and Rider University
Reasons for choosing Scranton: “Academics are very important to me, and Scranton has a great business school with an excellent academic reputation. When I did my official visit and sat in on classes, I knew that Scranton would be a fit for me as a student athlete. Coach Bartoletti and the players made me feel like I was part of the team right from the beginning.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in baseball at the collegiate level? “I’ve played baseball since I was 5 years old. My older brother Nick played college baseball and I knew from watching him play and being part of a team that went to multiple NCAA tournaments that I wanted to do the same. My recruiting process started in 10th grade when I played for the Philly Bandits and continued over the last two summers.
Coach Matt Schram says: “Matt Roda is another player who I have known since he was shortly out of diapers. He is a student of the game and has more of a baseball IQ then most. He uses that IQ to his advantage on the mound. He is a crafty yet powerful pitcher. He is one who doesn’t need a pitching coach when he is on the mound, he has a built-in concept of the game. He is going to help Scranton’s pitching staff on so many levels. He is one of the nicest and hardest working leaders we have on our team. Matt is a two-year captain for our squad.”
About Matt:
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite movie: Step Brothers
Favorite music: Hip-Hop/Pop
Mitchell Whitney– Arcadia University (Baseball)
Major: Physical Therapy
Final list of colleges: Arcadia, Millersville University
Reasons for choosing Arcadia: “Arcadia is well known for its Physical Therapy program. The opportunity to combine a great education with the ability to play college baseball made it a great fit for me.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in baseball at the collegiate level? “I’ve always known that I wanted to play college baseball. The recruiting process started the summer of my junior year.”
Coach Matt Schram says: “Mitch is a gamer who wants the ball every game of the year. He is one of the guys who could probably lead the team in bench presses because he’s a gym rat, so he’s a hardworking, hardnosed player. You couldn’t tell based on his demeanor if somebody hit a home run off of him or if he struck somebody out. He’s the kind of kid you want on the baseball field when the game’s on the line. He’s just a bulldog. The situation doesn’t matter to him, as long as he can help his team win. He has grown in this game on many levels, and his abilities and ceiling is greater now than ever. I am excited to see him play next year at Arcadia. They are getting a winner.”
About Mitchell:
Favorite food: Tacos
Favorite movie: Wall-E
Favorite music: Alternative
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