Matthew Rezendes '21 Recruiting Profile

Never would I have imagined that a worldwide pandemic would happen and keep me off the baseball field. This significant and unprecedented event has been a curse and at the same time, it has been a blessing.  Since I was five years old, I lived on the baseball field.  Not because my parents wanted me to, but because when I was five years old, I discovered that I loved to play the sport.  At some point during my baseball journey, I began dreaming and looking forward to playing the sport that I loved in college.  

And then, COVID-19 hit. During the prime of my high school baseball career - my Junior year. The year I had planned to be seen and to commit.   And now, here I am.  A Senior in high school still determined more than ever to continue my baseball career in college.  Yes, COVID-19 has prevented me from being on the field (a curse) but at the same time, it has taught me to be patient, more focused, more compassionate and to take personal responsibility for my physical, mental and educational growth.  To build a foundation that would sustain me on the field and in the classroom.  I have worked out on my own; lifted weights on my own; hit thousands of balls on my own; spent more time hitting the books and bringing up my GPA and more time reflecting and appreciating life (a blessing).  Most of all, COVID has taught me to not ever take anything for granted.  Not my family, not my friends, and not the opportunity to play on the field.  Whatever (college) program I am accepted into I guarantee that I will not take it for granted.  I will give it 110 percent.  Not only on the field, but in the classroom.