The Stevenson special
Geibel Catholic junior to continue baseball career at Penn State
When a coach from a Division I program comes to watch you play, a solid performance in that game would be ideal.
Geibel Catholic’s Eahn Stevenson took advantage of his opportunity on May 11 when representatives from Penn State University attended the Gators’ baseball game against Turkeyfoot Valley.
Stevenson hit two 2-run home runs and doubled in helping Geibel to a 6-5 victory over the Rams.
Stevenson earned the win on the mound, as he allowed one hit over three innings. The soon-to-be junior yielded three runs, but all were unearned. He struck out seven and walked two.
“I had an idea they may come, so I was a little nervous before the game started,” Stevenson said. “Once the game began, I was fine. I had a nice game that day, and it was special to have the coaches from Penn State come to our small school and watch me play.”
Stevenson’s impact continued throughout the summer, as he competed in travel and American Legion Baseball before attending a camp at Penn State that impressed head coach Mike Gambino and his staff enough to offer Stevenson the opportunity to play for the Nittany Lions in the Big 10.
Stevenson enjoyed everything he saw at Penn State, but still wanted to take some time prior to making his decision.
“I took a week after the camp to think about everything and weigh my options,” Stevenson said. “I wanted to make sure that I was set on going before I made my decision. I liked the coaches, the program and really everything they stand for, plus the facilities are top notch.”
Stevenson contacted Gambino to accept the offer before he posted the news Tuesday on his social media accounts.
“When I told him I had accepted the offer, they asked me to send a picture, and once I did, they adjusted it to include me as a Penn State commit,” Stevenson said. “That was pretty neat how they did that. I am excited and it is definitely a relief to have it done, and now I can just focus on playing and improving. I am very happy, but I know I have to keep working.”
Stevenson is being recruited as a middle infielder for the Nittany Lions. He played shortstop and pitched for the Gators, but his time on the mound was done more to help an inexperienced squad despite not having an overabundance of time on the bump.
“I had to pitch at Geibel, especially my freshman season, but that was fine because I wanted to do what was best for the team,” Stevenson said. “We had a few pitchers come in my sophomore year, so I didn’t have to as much. We will be back in the WPIAL this year. The team has gotten better, and it is a different environment when you play for your school.”
Stevenson plans on studying business or electrical engineering at Penn State. He is thinking of majoring in one field and minoring in the other. Academics have always been a priority, as Stevenson understands his playing days won’t last forever.
Stevenson began playing baseball when he was four-years-old and started working with Joe Leonard at Leonard Baseball Academy when he was eight.
Stevenson plays for the Allegheny Pirates in the fall under the direction of Fred Albert. He also has travel ball experience with Team Ohio Pro Select, and played American Legion Baseball for Uniontown.
“I owe a lot to Joe Gunn and his help with my recruitment,” Stevenson said. “I worked with him when I played for Team Ohio Pro Select. I have played for Richie Franks and the Uniontown team in legion baseball, which was nice because I felt comfortable playing with those guys. I know most of them, so the atmosphere was more like a family.”
Stevenson wanted to express appreciation for his parents, who made sure he was taken to all his practices and games, his pap, who helped with his funding, Leonard and all his coaches.