MARS — Both Dan Brent and Donnie Trapp will play Division II college baseball next season.

But the two Mars High and Mars American Legion players took vastly different roads to that goal.

Brent, who committed to Clarion University, had several offers — including some from Division I schools — because of his pitching prowess.

Trapp, who will play at Gannon University, will do so as a walk-on.

They don't care how they will get to the college baseball field. They simply are eager to get there.

"Donnie is just looking forward to the opportunity," said Bill Trapp, Trapp's American Legion baseball coach and father. "Hopefully, he and Dan will meet each other on the field."

That possibility has already occurred to them

And the trash talking — all in good fun, of course — has begun.

Brent told Donnie Trapp he would strike him out the first time he pitches against his friend in college.

Trapp told him to bring it on.

"After all the years of playing with him on the same team, to go up against him will be a blast," Trapp said.

The two have been playing together since they were in the eighth grade, when Brent moved into the Mars School District.

They have been close friends all that time.

Brent chose Clarion over schools like Division I North Carolina-Wilmington because he wanted to play right away.

"I want to play baseball," Brent said. "I don't want to sit on the bench for a year or two and then, maybe, get to play. I like to play and I want to play. I have been pitching since I was 9."

Brent throws a fastball, a sinker and a change-up — and isn't afraid to throw any of them in any count.

His senior season in high school started slowly because of a battle with mononucleosis. Once he finally kicked that ailment, he was effective for a Mars team that struggled to a 4-12 record.

He struck out 13 in a late-season game against Highlands — a 7-6 loss — and parlayed that into a dominating season for the Mars Legion team, notching a 5-1 record and leading the squad to the playoffs.

Trapp also had a solid season for both the high school and Legion teams as a center fielder.

But he chose to walk on at Gannon because of Travis Shaffer, who played at Moniteau High and for the West Sunbury Legion team.

Shaffer played at Gannon as a freshman this spring.

Gannon is a good choice for Trapp because it has his physician assistant major and he feels that, even as a walk-on, he has a chance to play at the Division II level.

Trapp's strength is his defense. He projects as a corner outfielder at the college level.

"I'm very confident in my fielding ability," Trapp said. "I played center field, as I feel so comfortable out there. I feel like if I can get my bat going to go with my defense, I can contribute at Gannon."