Mitch Longo, OF, Mayfield HS, Class of 2013

PBR: Why did you choose Ohio University?

Longo: Ohio offered me a substantial scholarship offer along with Sports Marketing Major that was exactly what I'd like to study in the future. 

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Longo: Ohio State, Kent State, Akron, Ole Miss. 

PBR:  Coach Smith was just recently hired at OU.  How does it feel to be a part of his first recruiting class?

Longo: it feels great. I'm really impressed with Coach Smith and his staffs plan to turn the program around. I'm glad to be a building block for the process.

PBR: Where did the Bobcat coaches first see you?

Longo: The OU assistant coach Berry first saw me at the Black Swamp Tournament in Bowling Green. 

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus?

Longo: The coaching staff at Ohio is expecting me to step right in and along with my recruiting class, make a great change for the better to turn around the Bobcat program quickly. 

PBR:  What team do you play for in the summer?

Longo: Brownlee Lookouts

PBR: What sort of sacrifices did you have to make to play a travel intensive schedule during the summer?? What sort of advice would you pass on to players looking to make the same decision?

Longo: I had to definitely sacrifice spending quality with my family and parents. However, they were always supporting me along the way. Advice I would give to future players making the same decision would be to never let up. Always run out ground balls, be on second with a deep fly out. I've learned that coaches and scouts come to see you because they already know your capabilities. They want to see how you react to failure. And in my eyes, keeping good composure resembles a strong ball player. 

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?

Longo: Definitely my Dad and older brother, Lee. I really gained character from my Dad, and learned the correct route to take from the recruitment process because he plays division 1 college ball. 

PBR: What were your stats this spring season at Mayfield?

Longo: I batted .553 and .603 going into the Division 1 Regional Semi- Final game. With 25 stolen bases and 17 triples. 

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher that you have faced in Ohio?

Longo: Matt Smoral from Solon High School. He just recently was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays. Big lefty throwing low to mid 90's with good stuff, it was a challenge.