For senior Matthew Manzo, baseball has always been more than just a sport. What began as a childhood hobby eventually turned into years of dedication, hard work and perseverance, leading him toward his dream of playing baseball at the collegiate level. This coming fall, Manzo will continue both his academic and athletic career at Colorado State University Pueblo (CSUP).
“Since I picked up a baseball when I was little, I have always loved the sport,” said Manzo. “As the years went by, I knew I was good, and from then on I knew I could play in college.”
As Manzo continued to grow as a player, his passion for the game only became stronger. Through years of practices, tournaments and competitive seasons, he developed confidence in his abilities and realized he wanted to pursue baseball beyond high school.
Excited about the opportunity ahead, Manzo said the coaching staff and overall environment at CSUP made the school stand out during the recruiting process.
“The CSUP coaches run a great program, and I’m looking forward to the next four years with them,” said Manzo.
Although reaching the college level was a major accomplishment, the journey had not always been easy. Like many athletes competing at a high level, Manzo had to overcome both physical and mental challenges throughout his career. Baseball is a sport built around consistency, and according to Manzo, learning how to move on from mistakes has been one of the hardest parts of the game.
“My biggest struggle in my sport is the ability to stay consistent and not let a bad game or at-bat affect future games and my confidence level,” said Manzo.
Because baseball is a sport where failure is inevitable, maintaining confidence can often be just as important as physical skill. Whether it is striking out at the plate or making a mistake in the field, he believes that confidence plays a huge role in success. By learning how to move past mistakes and stay focused on the next opportunity, Manzo developed the mindset needed to compete under pressure, preparing himself for higher levels of play.
His perseverance eventually led to one of the most memorable moments of his athletic career during the first round of CIF playoffs this season. In a high-pressure situation, Manzo delivered a walk-off hit that sent his team into the next round, creating a truly unforgettable memory.
“My most memorable experience in sports was this year in round one of CIF when I hit a walk-off to send us to round two,” said Manzo. “I’ll never forget it.”
Throughout his baseball journey, Manzo has also relied heavily on the support system around him. He credits both his faith and his parents for helping guide him through the ups and downs of athletics while continuing to encourage him to pursue his goals, with his final goal being to play professionally.
“Lastly, I’m thankful for God paving the way for me, along with the support of my parents,” said Manzo. “Playing in college is a goal of mine, but not the end goal. I’m going to continue working and striving for my bigger goal.”
Now officially committed to CSUP, Manzo is excited to continue competing at the collegiate level while continuing to grow both as a player and as a person. While playing college baseball has been one of his longtime goals, he believes there is still much more ahead for him in the future.
