A fter proving himself at the highest level of junior college baseball, Matt Yuhas is now hoping to fulfill his dream of playing NCAA Division I baseball next year.
Yuhas, a pitcher who went 8-0 for Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, in the spring of 2011, has caught the eye of many college coaches.
Yuhas first pitched for Brookdale in the spring of 2009, going 3-0. He then transferred to Longwood University in Virginia. At Longwood, Yuhas learned a lot about himself as a person. “Attending Longwood was a great experience,” said Yuhas, who is a graduate of Freehold High School, Freehold Borough. “I learned a lot about myself in a short period of time being so far from home.”
Due to distance, Yuhas eventually decided to return to Brookdale, which has one of the most successful junior college baseball programs in the nation. His father, Vic, also played at Brookdale.
Yuhas played his second season for Brookdale in 2011. He went 8-0 for the Jersey Blues with a 1.62 ERA in 62 innings. He allowed only 31 hits, struck out 46 batters and issued just four walks all season.
In recognition of his performance, Yuhas was named the Region XIX Player of the Year. He was a First Team All-Region XIX selection and he also earned National Junior College Athletic Association All-America First Team honors.
“Playing at Brookdale was the best decision I could have made,” Yuhas said. “The coaching staff was the best I have played for. They taught me a lot about baseball, as well as becoming a better person.”
In hopes of finding a place to play Division I baseball next season, Yuhas is planning to work hard this summer in gaining a better feel for all of his pitches.
He is pitching for the Point Pleasant Merchants in the Jersey Shore Baseball League, and for the Toms River Hurricanes in theAtlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate Baseball League. Both leagues are highly competitive.
“Wherever I go next year is going to be a big step because of the competition,” said Yuhas, whose uncle, Vinnie Yuhas, pitched in the Kansas City Royals organization. “But no matter what, I’m going to go out and compete and give my all every time I take the mound.”
Among the schools that are showing an interest in Yuhas are Old Dominion, Wagner, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Lynn University, Flagler College and St. Peter’s College.