ANDOVER, Ma. - The initial Prep Baseball Report showcase went well for Matt Conte.

“I started talking to Wake Forest after my first PBR event,” Conte reflected back at the Top Prospect Games in Connecticut during July of 2020. “They were watching a live stream and contacted my summer coach and we’ve stayed in contact every week.”

The evaluation from PBR went well.

‘Just a 2024, is advanced behind the plate, arm strength, with a major feel for catching. A must-see for higher-level programs.”

Conte remembers his production at the plate.

“I went 4-or-5-for-7 as an eighth grader against juniors and sophomores,” Conte related. “They said they love the way I play against older guys and can handle the velo.”

The connection with the ACC program grew to the point where the 23rd-rated 2024 catcher in the nation is now a Wake Forest commit.

“I was playing at Dexter and after a few games they said we heard you’re doing really well,” Conte explained. “An assistant coach said to contact the head coach and we’d love to offer. A week or two later I accepted.

“Before that I went down to see the school and went to a game with North Carolina State. Right then I felt it was the best place for me. After the game I went to see the campus and it was beautiful. It all seemed like a big home, and something I wanted to be a part of.”

Duke, Boston College, Xavier, Kansas State and UMass-Lowell were others with a strong interest in the third-ranked freshman in New England, but Wake just stood out in the eyes of Conte.

“They have great training facilities which will help elevate my game,” Conte said. “A lot of kids from the northeast go there and do well, so I guess I’m following in their footsteps.”

There was more that materialized in helping Conte decide on Wake Forest.

“When I was at the game all the dads of the players were saying how loyal he is and will give you your best shot at developing,” Conte said in reference to Tom Walter, who just completed his 12th season as head coach at the school. “As a player, I want to be under a loyal coach.”

The thought of playing baseball at the next level has been around for some time for the 2024 at Dexter Southfield.

“Ever since I was young and watching it on TV I’ve wanted to play college baseball,” Conte noted. “Seeing the fans and the players having so much fun … that’s when I started training harder.”

High goals were established.

“My goal when I was training was to not focus on the people around me, just focus on my game,” Conte said. “The focus was on what to do to help improve my game, getting faster and stronger.”

There are two individuals that have been enormous in benefitting Conte along the way.

“My dad introduced me to baseball when I was younger,” Conte related. “He’s been big for me. And coach Patterson with NEB helped me with college recruiting and also with my swing.”

That is one area of his game that attracted Wake Forest.

“They love me as a player, they love the way I work behind the plate and they love the way I swing,” Conte said.

The 187th-rated 2024 in the country looks forward to the near future and being a major contributor in the Wake Forest program.

“I hope to bring good leadership, especially as a catcher,” pointed out the 6-1 195-pounder, who expressed the timing was right to make a college commitment.

“I’ve always loved Wake Forest,” Conte said. “Coming from the northeast and the success they’ve had with northeast guys, I wouldn’t want to call any other place home.”

It was a memorable time when the decision to make a commitment with Wake Forest was made official by Conte.

“It was really exciting,” Conte explained. “Everyone was calling my dad and calling me. It was a proud moment to see all the hard work pay off. But now I have to continue working.”