Grade 12 MEI student Matt Pidlisecky is heading to Kamloops.
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack announced earlier this week that the Abbotsford Cardinals baseball product will suit up for the team in Kamloops starting this fall.
Pidlisecky, who will be taking courses aimed at achieving a bachelor of business administration degree, said he’s looking forward to the challenge of the Canadian Collegiate Baseball Conference.
“University ball will be the next step in my ball career. I am excited and ready for the challenge and look forward to adding to the strength of the team,” he said. “I chose TRU because of its great business program as well as the school’s involvement in sports. Playing for the baseball team will be a great challenge and opportunity for my baseball career.”
Pidlisecky was a part of the 2016 British Columbia Premier Baseball League champion Cardinals, and has had a strong 2017 campaign. The infielder is hitting .306, with three home runs and 17 runs batted in so far this season.
“I am very excited to play for [TRU] Coach [Ray] Chadwick. His positive attitude and the great feedback I received from Major League Baseball scouts that knew I was thinking of coming here made my decision much easier,” he added.
His coach for the past few years has been the Western Canada Scout for the Kansas City Royals and Abbotsford resident Corey Eckstein.
“I’ve coached Matt since he was 10 years old and I am very excited to see him continue his baseball career and further his education at TRU,” he said. “Matt is not your prototypical second baseman. He has above average arm strength and probably profiles better at third base but he’s been able to handle second base for our team which shows you his versatility. Matt continues to grow mentally and has showed signs of maturity when he gets in a slump.”
Chadwick has had Pidlisecky on his radar for quite some time.
“I saw Matt three years ago as a junior premier player. He’ll be an impact player coming in and will compete for a starting position at either second, third or short right away. I envision him likely batting for second. He is definitely one of the best recruits we have had coming to TRU in a long time.”
TRU advanced to the 2017 CCBC championships earlier this spring, but fell 4-3 to the Okanagan College Coyotes.
For more on the team, visit tru.ca/athletics.
In other Cardinals news, the team hosts a home game tonight (Friday) against the Victoria Mariners. First pitch goes at 7 p.m.
The Cardinals sit in sixth place in the 12-team BCPBL, with a record of 13 wins and 10 losses.
Abbotsford then hits the road on June 10 for a pair of games against the Mid-Island Pirates.