Orillia’s Matthew Dell’Unto has committed to playing baseball for Lawrence Technological University out of Southfield, Mich., next summer.
The 17-year-old Orillia Secondary School student started playing baseball when he was three, following in the footsteps of his father, Guido Dell’Unto, who also played at the post-secondary level.
“My dad has helped me the most with my baseball career so far alongside coaches Connor Morro and Denny Berni,” the Burlington native said. “They have helped me become a better player by pushing me to be a better version of myself every day.”
Dell’Unto says his dad and coaches deserve the credit for providing him with the opportunities to play for the Burlington Bulls, Ontario Blue Jays, and the Etobicoke Rangers where he currently plays.
“I now have the opportunity to play university baseball in Michigan and I have earned this by training many days a week for the last six years,” he said. “I’ve devoted all of my free time training and focusing on perfecting my game.”
The second baseman hopes to further develop his skills with the hopes of potentially playing at the pro level once he’s graduated from university ball. However, Dell’Unto said his main passion is technology.
“I am taking the information technology course at Lawrence Tech,” he explained. “I hope to graduate and find a job in the coding field.”
Despite hoping to eventually carve out a career in the world of technology, Dell’Unto says he will always have a love for the game of baseball. He plans to play the sport until he physically is unable to.
“I enjoy the team aspect of the game,” he said. “It changes the game when you have a team you all get along with and can have fun with.”
When it comes to the individual aspect of the game, Dell’Unto loves the grind that comes with having a successful baseball season.
“I love the grit and grind of the game,” he said. “I love that all the hard work you put into the game gets you great results.”
Dell’Unto, who moved to Orillia to live with his family in September of 2021, says he is thrilled to achieve one of his life goals of earning a scholarship through baseball.
Despite achieving the goal, he says he will keep building off his strong work ethic.
“It’s an amazing feeling knowing how hard you worked for something and seeing it pay off,” he said.
