Pisgah's Bleckley signs with Mid-Atlantic Christian baseball
Mar. 28—Pisgah High School senior Titus Bleckley received a great present for his 18th birthday last week: he signed to continue his academic and baseball playing career at Mid-Atlantic Christian University.
Surrounded by family, friends and coaches at the Pisgah High School media center, Bleckley signed on the dotted line to follow his lifelong dream of becoming a collegiate ballplayer.
"It's been a long time coming. A lot of hard work. A lot of late nights with the boys in the gyms and in the cages. It feels good. It felt good when I made the call and told them and it's gonna feel even better when I sign on that dotted line," Titus Bleckley said.
Mid-Atlantic Christian University, commonly referred to as MACU, is a private school just over six hours away in Elizabeth City, N.C.
While Bleckley's mom, Angela Bleckley, is not loving how far he's moving to away, she's proud of finally seeing his dream come to fruition.
"I can't believe we're here. He's dreamed of playing college baseball his entire life. He's worked tremendously hard to get where he's at. He's always given everything he's got on that baseball field. He eats, sleeps and breathes it. He really does. I'm so thankful that's he's been blessed to play at the next level," she said.
Bleckley's dad, Mark Bleckley, is similarly proud, especially given the ups and down his son has experienced along the road.
"It's incredible. It's been a very long road of ups and downs and encouraging him to know that if he sets his mind to something, he can do it. That's exactly what we've instilled in him since he was little. God has allowed him to be around the right people at the right time to further his baseball and academic career," he said.
Mustangs get a good one
Bleckley will join the MACU Mustangs baseball team this fall, and he's excited to know he's joining a team of talented players.
"I'm behind a line of guys that are talented and great kids. I'm ready to come in and work and earn my spot. I'm excited to get down there with Coach Lewis and be accepted into a new family of ballplayers," Bleckley said.
One thing that drew him to MACU was the small-town feel that reminded him of home.
"Besides the small-town feel, and being able to get a good education, but also to be able to grow faith-wise. Also, it's on the water. I'm on an inlet. I can fish whenever I want. It's home," he said.
Mark Bleckley said he knew MACU would be a good fit for his son early on.
"Within twenty minutes, they were chanting his name while he was batting. They were having a blast. He was having a great time. They're great kids and they've got a great coach up there," Mark Bleckley said.
Bleckley has played a variety of positions at Pisgah over his four years on the ball club, from first, second and third base to catching.
Harold Shepard, Pisgah's baseball coach, said MACU is getting a smart, positive player, one who makes a coach's job easy.
"He has been really hardworking, positive young man and he has had a good impact on the program itself. You always like kids who have big brains because they make your job a lot easier. He's a smart kid, he's gonna do well at Mid-Atlantic," Shepard said.
Student-athlete
Bleckley exemplifies the "student-athlete" label, too. Not only is he a smart, do-it-all player for the Bears baseball team, but he gets it done in the classroom, too: he is the senior class valedictorian and plans to study pre-med when he arrives at MACU.
"He's one of those individuals who's a self-motivator. He puts in the work. We don't have to challenge hime. It's what God has instilled in him. It's been a great thing to step back and watch," said Mark Bleckley.
Shepard said MACU is going to be a really good fit for Bleckley, especially academically.
"They're getting a good kid. He's leaving here as the valedictorian of the senior class. He's been involved in a lot of stuff here at school. He has worked hard. It's a great opportunity for him to get to go on to do something he enjoys. Baseball is jus the icing. Everything else is the important part. It's a big deal to get the opportunity to play, but the education part is why you're going," Shepard said.
Bleckley's parents plan to drive out to MACU to see their son play next year, but for now they're just enjoying the experience.
"We're thankful for all of the people. Titus has had so many people support him through this. God is definitely blessing him," Angela Bleckley said.
