Grinder

Gabe Grinder wasn't asking for any guarantees, just a chance. Indiana University of Pennsylvania is giving him one.

The Seneca Valley High School senior has signed early with IUPto continue his academic and baseball career there.

Grinder pitched for the Seneca Valley team that won its section title last spring. He played first base, right field and pitched for the Seneca Valley Palomino squad that finished third in the NABFWorld Series last summer.

"Coach (Jeff)Ditch was really straightforward about the situation there,"Grinder said. "He said I'd have the opportunity to prove myself and get on the field every day.

"He also said I wouldn't be handed anything, that I'd have to earn my playing time. That's what I want."

Grinder was recruited as an outfielder and pitcher by IUP. He was recruited by Toledo and Slippery Rock as a pitcher and by the University of Buffalo as a third baseman-pitcher.

This past summer, he batted .297 with 24 RBIand 35 hits in Palomino ball. He was 6-0 with a 2.76 earned run average on the mound, collecting 26 strikeouts and 12 walks in 43.1 innings pitched.

"Gabe has shown a strong interest and commitment to IUPsince early September," second-year IUPcoach Jeff Ditch said. "He is a very competitive person and has a will to win.

"He comes from a strong baseball community and baseball family."

Grinder's father, Scott, is a former 13-year professional umpire and president of the Western Pennsylvania Elite Baseball League and Christian Sports International.

Over the past three years with the Seneca Valley Palomino squad, Grinder has compiled a 19-3 record on the mound and a .307 batting average with 73 RBI.

He has lettered for two years in basketball in high school, but has yet to letter in baseball.

"I want to be an everyday player and help the team,"Grinder said of his high school career. "Maybe this will be the year."

Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 175 pounds, Grinder has room to get stronger. His hitting coach with the Seneca Valley Palomino squad is former major leaguer Sid Bream.

"Sid showed me how to use the whole field,"Grinder said. "I used to be a dead pull-hitter, but he showed me how to use the gaps and hit for doubles.

"I try to soak in everything he (Bream)tells me. He knew how to get to the professional level."

IUPis coming off a 10-41 season in Ditch's first year. Indiana has lost 32 of 40 conference games over the past two years and hasn't had a winning season since 1998.

Grinder plans to study secondary education at IUP.