JACKSON TWP — When the offer came, Zach DeTillio was ready — and unwilling to wait.

That’s why the Seneca Valley senior right-hander accepted a baseball scholarship from Indiana (Pa.) University prior to the start of his final high school season.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound DeTillio has also received offers from Division I schools Akron, Kent State and UNC-Asheville.

“I thought this was the best offer I was going to get and I feel like I’ll fit in well with their program,” DeTillio said.

His Raider teammate and fellow ace hurler, Matt Smith, signed early with Georgetown of the Big East.

“I know some bigger schools showed interest in Zach,” SV coach Eric Semega said. “The raw tools are definitely there and he keeps improving.”

DeTillio had an approximate 2.00 earned run average with the Raiders last spring and struck out five in his first appearance this year — a two-inning stint against Hampton.

DeTillio averages approximately a strikeout an inning and is looking to increase that ratio this spring.

“I’m keeping track of the strikeouts by marking them on the inside bill of my cap,” he said, smiling.

Consistently throwing his fastball between 85 and 89 miles per hour, DeTillio also throws an effective curve and began adding a changeup to his repertoire last year.

He also played summer ball for Sid Bream’s Seneca Valley Palomino team, where the Seven Fields resident was the No. 1 starter and hit .435 as the team’s third baseman.

“The big thing with Zach is confidence,” Bream said. “You can read his body language on the mound and at times he doesn’t feel confident.

“As you climb each level in baseball, how hard you throw becomes less of a factor. College teams are high school all-star teams. They can hit the fast stuff. You have to be able to pitch and Zach can change speeds effectively.”

Jeff Ditch is in his seventh year as IUP coach and has completed a remarkable turnaround in the program. His first year there in 2006, the team finished 10-41, including 3-17 in the PSAC West.

Two years later, the Crimson Hawks won 36 games. IUP finished 31-24 in winning the PSAC West in 2010 and reached the conference title game last year for the first time since 1990.

“Zach has good mechanics and throws three pitches for strikes,” Ditch said. “He’s got good arm action and a good body.

“We have 16 pitchers on our staff this year, but we’ll lose two to graduation and we always need to replace three or four each year. He can get on the mound for us next year, no question.”

Seneca Valley won the state championship last season and DeTillio said he wanted to get his college choice behind him “so I can concentrate on helping us get there again.”

He also has another goal in mind.

“I want to pitch a no-hitter this year,” DeTillio said. “I’ve never thrown one at this level. I had a two-hitter last year (vs. Upper St. Clair).”

When it comes to college, his goals are more refined.

“Get into their pitching mix right away, be a good student, avoid injuries and work hard,” DeTillio said. “Everything else should come if all of that happens.

“I’d love to play pro ball down the road, so I need to keep improving. I’m always working on my game.”