New destination for Kiski's Garrone

A snag during the enrollment process kept Tyler Garrone from playing baseball at the Division I level, but the Kiski Area senior found solace at a Division II school.

Garrone, a power-hitting catcher-turned-first baseman, committed to play at Slippery Rock.

Initially, Garrone was headed to Miami of Ohio, but he said some inaccurate records kept him from completing his commitment during the early signing period.

"Kiski didn't update its (NCAA Clearinghouse) book since 2004, and that's the record (Miami) had for me," Garrone said. "You had to have taken certain core courses to pass the clearinghouse and play at the Division I level. There wasn't a record of me doing that."

While Garrone waited for things to be sorted out, his scholarship was given to someone else, and Slippery Rock came calling.

"I'm happy with them," he said. "It's a great program. And I want to go for physical education, and they have one of the best programs in the nation. Coach (Jeff) Messer is an awesome guy, and he sold me on it."

Garrone, who could be selected in next week's Major League Baseball draft, hit 21 home runs in his career with the Cavaliers. This season, he was walked 10 times and rarely saw a fastball.

"Realistically, I bet I saw 15 fastballs all season," he said. "When I did, they were high and tight. The next one was a curve low and away."

Garrone still managed to hit .500 with six homers and a team-high 20 runs and 15 RBI.

He is playing American Legion ball for Kiski Valley (4-0) this summer. He is playing first base but has closed a few games on the mound.