Shepelsky ‘Exceeds Expectations’ With Commitment To Lehigh

Jackson Shepelsky RHP / 2B / Brunswick School, CT / 2025

SCARSDALE, N.Y. - Jackson Shepelsky admits to modest aspirations about a future in baseball as a youth.

“When you’re younger every kid wants to play professional baseball,” Shepelsky said. “I didn’t know much about college baseball, I thought maybe I’d go to a lower school and try to walk on which is what my dad did.”

That idea changed in eighth grade.

“My coach put me in touch with Brunswick,” the 16-year-old reflected about a connection made with his current high school. “Once I got there I wanted to be part of college baseball. There were a bunch of kids there committed to play college baseball.”

It was then that Shepelsky’s drive to make it to the next level increased.

“I went to a local PBR team event,” Shepelsky related. “That’s the first thing that jump-started my PBR profile and me getting out there at the time. It was something I wanted to build on. The next year I went to the State Games and that made me realize I needed to work hard to get to the point I wanted to be.

“This summer I threw at LakePoint to get seen by a lot of schools. That tournament really helped my recruitment. Recently I went to the Metro Scout Day and a lot of people saw me there. My commitment to Lehigh eventually came after that.”

It was on Aug. 1 when Lehigh initially reached out.

“I started working with an advisor, Sam Sharf, 11/2 years ago,” Shepelsky explained. “I had wanted to play college baseball but not sure what level. I was throwing hard, but not hard enough to get looks. I started training at Velo U and that helped me get to my full potential. I started throwing high-80s and Sam said start reaching out to schools. I did that last winter and went to a few camps to get that experience.

“Things kicked off as soon as the rules changed. I hit 88-89 at Brunswick but with the rule change there was no way I could talk to coaches, so my advisor sent videos to coaches, one being coach (Pat) Knight,” Shepelsky said in reference to the pitching coach at Lehigh. “On Aug. 1 coach Knight was the first guy I talked to and I instantly connected. We had a long conversation and he said he wanted to get me to campus for a camp. I went at the end of August and threw well, some of my best all summer. They gave me an offer a couple of days later and I accepted a few months after that.”

Shepelsky was also impressed with Wofford, which offered as well, while Brown, North Carolina, Virginia Commonwealth, Rutgers and St. John’s were other schools showing an interest. But it was Lehigh that stood out.

“I didn’t know much about the school, but coach Knight talked about how they treat players the right way and everyone gets a chance to play,” Shepelsky said. “They’re big on developing players and I liked his philosophy with pitchers.

“I also talked with the head coach, Sean Leary, and he was one of the smartest guys I know talking about the game. It was cool to hear his perspective.”

The coaches at Lehigh saw the 6-2 195-pound right-hander, who carries a 3.7 GPA in high school, fitting into the program nicely.

“They like my arm angle on my fastball and slider,” Shepelsky explained. “It’s a low ¾ slot and my arm is a little longer so it’s tough to pick up out of my hand.”

There is more Shepelsky believes he can bring to the Patriot League program located in Bethlehem, Pa., a little more than two hours from home.

“Fire and energy, I always want to win,” Shepelsky said in describing himself as a player and teammate. “That’s the whole goal in playing this game. I want to win and bring a championship.”

The Brunswick High School junior reflected on making a commitment.

“I was in class when I decided to call the coach,” Shepelsky said. “I’d known for a while it was the place for me and I called coach after class. Then I called my mom and she was ecstatic for me. It was one of the better days of my life.”

It was also a time for reflection on the person, perhaps, most responsible for his love of baseball.

“My dad taught me the game from 18 months old until he passed away when I was in sixth grade,” Shepelsky said. “He was one of my biggest influences throwing in the cages with me. He really was the inspiration in this whole thing. He’d be ecstatic, exceeding his expectations he had for me. This would make him really proud.”