Norwin graduates climb college baseball ladder via transfer portal

By means of: Bill Beckner Jr.

Saturday, July 20, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Two former Norwin baseball players from the class of 2022 are changing their majors.

Both tested the NCAA transfer portal.

Ty Stecko, who began his college career at Mount St. Mary’s, recently announced a commitment to Eastern Michigan. The rising junior infielder is leaving the Metro-Atlantic Conference for the Mid-American Conference.

New junior pitcher Noah Czajkowski is leaving St. Bonaventure after two seasons.

Stecko hit .226/.352/.330 in 43 games last season with eight doubles, 18 runs scored and 22 RBIs.

He has played 23 times as a starter.

“The enthusiastic coaching staff showed great interest in helping me develop and excel as a player and were very innovative in their use of advanced technology and training,” Stecko said of Eastern Michigan. “I really connected with them and they showed that they believed in me and my potential to make a big impact.”

Stecko was pleased with the Eagles’ stadium and climate-controlled practice field with artificial turf.

“Additionally, playing in the MAC and traveling south for several weeks in the spring to play elite competition was very appealing,” he said. “I truly loved my teammates and thoroughly enjoyed my time at Mount, and I am grateful for my two years there. I believed it was time to expand my horizons and pursue new growth as a student, player and individual.”

Czajkowski, a right-handed pitcher with 12 career starts and 27 appearances, went 4-6 with a 7.26 ERA last season. He struck out 48 batters in 53 1/3 innings.

“St. Bonaventure has been really good to me, but I wanted to test my value and see if bigger schools might be interested,” he said. “I didn’t pitch much in high school, so I’m kind of a late bloomer. Things went really well in Tampa last month and I felt like it was time to bet on myself.”

With his sinker reaching 94 mph in the bullpen and his fastball clocking in at around 92 mph, Czajkowski shows speed and control.

He said his phone has been “blowing up” since he announced his career change.

This summer he is organizing a baseball camp for 8-year-olds.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at [email protected].

Tags: Norwin