Collin Ash will be continuing his academic and athletic career at Valparaiso University, a division 1 program in northern Indiana, playing baseball. Valparaiso University also known as Valpo plays in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) while also playing many challenging non conference opponents. Ash has dedicated a great amount of time to baseball and specifically the recruiting process to reach the collegiate level. His journey included many long days of camps at colleges and talking to coaches in person and on the phone.
“The process was long and took a toll on me mentally, it started off slow but I eventually had a good amount of options,” senior Collin Ash said. “There were struggles with d1 schools in the process, but just continuing to work hard made it worth it. I spent a good amount of time just making sure to go to camps and really get my name out there.”
Ash has loved baseball since he could first remember. He has played travel baseball since he was eight years old and is now a 3 year varsity baseball player at Roncalli. Baseball has shaped Ash into the person he is today and has grown in unimaginable ways from this sport.
“Baseball has taught me how to overcome adversity along with leadership skills,” Ash said. “It has made me a humble person through all of the hard times. The memories I have made and lessons learned summer after summer is something I will never forget.”
Ash has grown throughout his high school years greatly and has shown his true leadership on and off the field. He is the player every coach wants as he listens and works hard to succeed.
“Ever since I started coaching Collin his Sophomore year in high school he has been a performer as a varsity baseball player,” varsity baseball coach Tony Vittorio said. “He obviously possesses the necessary baseball tools to be a great player but what is most important is that our players look to him as a leader in the classroom, community, and on the Baseball field.”
Along with baseball Ash is the starting varsity quarterback. This is his 3rd year in this position and loves the sport. Football at Roncalli is a special tradition and Ash finds time to focus on both baseball and football in the fall.
“I take a break from baseball during football season and put all my focus on football, but then I focus on baseball the rest of the year,” Ash said.
The baseball season may still be 6 months away but the team is already working hard.
The baseball team came together last year making it to the sectional championship game. They have already set goals and are ready for the coming season.
“I explain to everyone that Roncalli is a Championship School,” Coach Vittorio said. “So our goals remain the same and that is to play for Championships.”
Ash also has many goals from his high school season to collegiate career. As a leader of the team he is excited for what is to come.
“I am very excited for my senior season,” Ash said. “I would love to win a state title and believe with hard work we can achieve this goal. I would also love to play 4 years of division 1 baseball, have fun, and come out of college with endless memories while also getting a college education.”
