When Matt Keating came to
Beatrice to play for Southeast Community College’s Storm baseball team in 2019,
he had high hopes for a year or two of developing his game, both mentally and
physically.
“I was a late
bloomer in high school, and I felt like I needed another year or two to develop
my skills,” said Keating. “I felt like going to a JUCO (junior college) was the
best route for me. Southeast offered me an opportunity to get a good education
and improve as a baseball player at the same time. It was a perfect fit for me.”
The Omaha Creighton
Prep grad said he was impressed by the way brothers Dion and Tyson Parks ran
the Storm program. However, no one could’ve predicted the onset of COVID-19, which
subsequently halted his first collegiate baseball season soon after it started.
“I remember the
team meeting we had the day we got sent home,” he recalled. “That was a very
difficult day for all of the players and coaches. It was very sad to have to
leave all my teammates and coaches who had become family to me.”
Instead of
dwelling on it, he took it as an opportunity to work hard and improve on his
own. In the long run, his hard work paid off. The pitcher/infielder recently
committed to the University of Southern California Trojans for the 2021 season.
The Trojans are one of the most successful programs in college baseball,
capturing 12 national championships. Two schools, LSU and Texas, have six
titles each.
“USC is an unbelievable
school, and this is an incredible opportunity,” said Tyson Parks, who helped
recruit Keating to SCC. “He has become one of the leaders on this team. His
character cannot be questioned. He is a kid that loves to play every day.”
“It’s a dream
come true to be part of the Trojans program,” Keating added. “It’s a great
opportunity for both baseball and academics. I would love to help USC get back
to Omaha to win another College World Series title.”
Keating will
finish out the 2021 spring season and semester at SCC and leave for California
in August. Until then, the 4.0 grade-point average student from Omaha won’t
forget his experiences in Beatrice.
“I was very
fortunate to be able to attend SCC,” he said. “I have made connections with
teammates, coaches and teachers that will last a lifetime. No matter where I
end up, SCC will always be home to me.”
Other SCC players
who recently committed to Division I schools: Sophomore Ben Weber, a pitcher
from Millard North, will play at Kansas State University; and sophomore Tyler
Mattingley, a pitcher from Thornton, Colorado, will play at the University of
Nebraska Omaha.