Coastal Carolina 'Family Atmosphere' Impresses Pare

LASALLE, Ontario - Going to college in the south and playing baseball has long been the aspiration for Matteo Pare. The St. Thomas of Villanova junior has now met that goal.

“It’s always been a dream to go somewhere warm,” Pare said of his recent commitment to Coastal Carolina. “Myrtle Beach is right down the road … the whole area feels like you’re on the beach 24/7. It’s nice and clean … I love being in the sun and the warm weather.”

The hard-throwing right-hander from Ontario had a glimpse of life in the south at the start of the year while at TNXL Academy in Ocoee, Fla.

“They first saw me at TNXL in late February or early March,” Pare related about Coastal Carolina. “They saw me throw a month and had me and my dad on an unofficial visit. We did the whole tour and met all the coaches.

“What stood out the most was the family atmosphere,” Pare continued. “Everyone is close to each other. The advisors and the education people get everyone involved. The field just felt right walking around. All of that went into the decision.”

A meeting with head coach Gary Gilmore, who led Coastal to the 2016 national title and is currently fourth in all-time wins among active Division I college coaches, included an offer.

“Two days later I decided that’s where I wanted to go,” Pare said.

The staff at the Sun Belt Conference like the possibilities of the 6-4 205-pound right-handed pitcher, whose college interest began after playing for Team Canada at the PBR Future Games last summer in Georgia.

“They see the potential in my body and what I have to offer,” Pare explained. “They want me to get there and the coaches can make a few tweaks with me.”

That idea is intriguing to Pare.

“For me to get on the field quicker, I have to command my fastball to be able to play off it with my offspeed to be able to confuse hitters,” Pare said.

Recent improvement has the just-turned 17-year-old on the right path.

“My slider is more consistent now,” Pare pointed out. “Mechanically I have a more fluid delivery which is helping me have more command and also helping me to stay in games longer.”

Pare, who is playing this summer with the Ohio Warhawks, credits TNXL with benefitting his cause.

“Brian does a great job there,” Pare said of TNXL founder Brian Martinez. “The pitching coach does a great job with the pitchers and the atmosphere is unmatched. It’s a great place to be to play baseball.”

Pare feels Coastal Carolina will also live up to his expectations as a dream school now that recruitment has come to an end.

“I didn’t really have many others interested, a couple of Junior Colleges and I talked with some mid-majors,” Pare explained. “Coastal was the only solid D-I offer I had and that’s the place I want to be.”

The product of Ontario believes he can be a major asset to the Coastal Carolina program.

“I feel like I can do something my freshman year,” Pare noted. “My strong suit is out of the pen and I think I can contribute in close games. From there I can build up to a starting job one day.”

A 3.6 student undecided on a major, Pare is happy to know where his future in baseball lies.

“What a great and exciting feeling,” Pare reflected. “To make that phone call and commit to a school is an unmatched feeling. My family is ecstatic and happy that I chose Coastal. I feel it’s going to be great for my future.”

Admittedly, expectations are high as his college days near.

“I’m really looking forward to the competitiveness of D-I baseball,” Pare concluded. “The Sun Belt is a great conference which can only help to make me better.

“I also look forward to meeting new people and the brotherhood we’ll form in the next four years. Hopefully, we’ll get to Omaha one day.”