Seneca Valley's Tyler Smith, seen here pitching for the Raiders during his junior season last spring, recently signed to play baseball at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

JACKSON TWP — There were several things Tyler Smith was looking for in his search for a college.

He found them all in the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

A senior baseball player at Seneca Valley, Smith signed a letter of intent last month to continue his academic and athletic careers at the school.

“There wasn’t a turning point when I realized I was able to play in college,” said Smith. “I always thought I could.

“I took my visit (to UPJ) in October and verbally committed there soon after that. I was also looking at Mercyhurst, but my dad went to Pitt-Johnstown and loved it. I want to major in engineering and they have that. I want to play baseball in the PSAC because it’s the best Division II conference in the country. They always send a team to the NCAA playoffs.”

Veteran Mountain Cats coach Todd Williams likes what Smith offers both in the field and at the plate.

“We recruited Tyler as an infielder and pitcher,” he replied in an e-mailed interview. “We watched him play and loved his bat, arm strength and speed.”

Smith represented Pennsylvania in last summer’s Big 26 Border Klash, a three-game all-star event against players from Maryland. He pitched and played infield while hitting .400 at the plate.

Smith’s arsenal of pitches includes a fastball, curveball, change-up and a sinker. He was recently a member of the Flood City fall travel team, based near Johnstown. According to Williams, the squad often yields up to four players who sign with his program in a given year.

Smith is eager to see how his skills translate to the college game, saying, “I want to make an impact right away.”

That is a very real possibility.

“He will have an opportunity to start as a freshman as our senior third baseman, Joe Gagliardi, will be graduating,” wrote Williams. “We are hoping he (Smith) steps right into the job at third and also helps us out on the mound.”

Pitt-Johnstown moved to the PSAC in 2014, the last year the Mountain Cats qualified for the conference tournament.

Smith is planning on seeing starting time at third base and shortstop as well as getting innings on the mound for Seneca Valley’s varsity team this spring. The Raiders will look to get back to the WPIAL playoffs after a 5-14 record last season.

“I want to be a leader on the team for the younger players,” he said.