Gregula opting for baseball on next level
Despite all of his exploits on the football field, Washington's Justin Gregula has always dreamed of playing college baseball. So it wasn't hard for him to bypass college football scholarship offers in favor of playing Division I baseball.
Less than a week after leading the Little Prexies to the WPIAL Class AA baseball championship at PNC Park to go with the WPIAL football title they won at Heinz Field this past fall, Gregula signed a letter of intent Thursday for Old Dominion University.
The 6-foot, 185-pounder, who is projected as a middle infielder in college, chose the Monarchs over Marshall and Miami of Ohio. Old Dominion plays in the Colonial Athletic Association.
“They've got a great baseball tradition,” Gregula said. “Their main competition in the CAA is great. (CAA foes) James Madison was No. 22 in the nation, and George Mason is always good. They have a well-established coaching staff, with coach (Tony) Guzzo. And their facilities are great. They've got one of the best baseball fields in the CAA.”
Gregula was a four-year starter for Wash High, playing third base as a freshman and shortstop the past three seasons. He batted .441 (26 for 59) with 20 RBI, and posted a 4-2 record as a pitcher this season. The right-hander struck out 10 and tossed a one-hit shutout against Burrell in the WPIAL semifinals and pitched in relief against South Park in the WPIAL final before losing to Lewistown in the PIAA playoffs.
Gregula hopes to play shortstop at Old Dominion, which is located in Norfolk, Va.
“I've always wanted to go down South and play ball,” Gregula said. “The location is great. It's 15 minutes from Virginia Beach.”
Gregula was the starting quarterback for Wash High's football team, leading the Prexies to the WPIAL and PIAA Class AA championships with an undefeated record. He had opportunities to play football at Mercyhurst and Millersville, both Division II programs, as well as a number of district Division III programs.
When baseball came calling, he couldn't resist.
“I knew my best shot at playing at that level would be with baseball,” Gregula said. “And I was planning on playing baseball. Baseball was always my first love.”
As a 14-year-old, Gregula pitched 19 innings without giving up an earned run and became one of 12 pitchers to win three games in the Pony League World Series before losing to Chinese-Taipei in the championship game. Gregula could have become the first four-game winner in Pony League World Series history.
Gregula also has the distinction of having played in WPIAL championship games at Three Rivers Stadium, Heinz Field and PNC Park. He was the kicker and punter for Wash High when it lost to Aliquippa in the WPIAL football finals at Three Rivers in 1999, started at quarterback when the Prexies beat Beaver Falls at Heinz Field this past fall and played shortstop and pitcher in the 9-4 victory over South Park at PNC Park, where he hit a three-run triple and accounted for four RBI.
Gregula said he committed to Old Dominion two weeks ago, but was waiting for the arrival of his letter of intent, as well as the completion of the Major League Baseball amateur draft, to make it official and sign with the Monarchs. When Gregula was not selected in the two-day draft, it only made his decision easier.
“It was in the back of my mind,” Gregula said of the possibility of being chosen in the draft. “I thought I had a chance. I had a pretty good season and I played well at PNC Park. I was basically planning on going to college anyway, though.”
