Mike Tullio throws high heat on the mound for Point Park University’s baseball team. But off the field, he handles a completely different kind of heat.Having transferred from Palm Beach, Fla. to help round out the Pioneers’ pitching, sophomore business major Tullio intends be successful in baseball, but if he is not, he will seek the heat of a stove to develop his second love, cooking.”I came to Point Park because I wanted to go to a university to get a degree because I knew if I went straight into baseball without a degree that it isn’t guaranteed to work out,” Tullio said. “Education is definitely important.”He discovered his two passions at an early age playing catch and working on his “gourmet” style by concocting his own form of nachos.”I never knew what a nacho was. I had never seen or heard of them before and I didn’t realize that it was popular until a few years later,” said Tullio of his childhood in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.But seeing as how cooking is not a “team sport,” Tullio stuck more to baseball and cooked as a hobby when he had the chance.”I want to have a degree in business, just in case, but after college I want to go into baseball. I think I have what it takes to make it to the big leagues and I want to explore that,” said Tullio of his high 80 mile per hour fastball and great setup ability.At the same time, he can also create his favorite dish of gorgonzola-crusted fillet mignon that, according to Tullio, is “easy to prepare and tastes great.” While admitting his culinary desires take a backseat to his baseball career, they are still prominent in his life.Tullio started pitching at age 10 and could only recall starting at that age because of an award he won at Disney World.”There was a tournament at Disney World and I won something like the best pitcher,” Tullio said.The rest is history.Tullio played the position through all levels in school and eventually took his game to the next level at Palm Beach Community College. Tullio pitched 19.2 innings and had 21 strikeouts while only giving up five walks. He had a record of 2-0 while the team finished the season 28-20.Baseball Head Coach Loren Torres, who also hails from Florida, recruited Tullio, who, wanting a degree from a university while still playing competitive baseball, accepted the offer.”We always look for student athletes when we recruit. He had outstanding grades, and he was a heck of a ball player so we went out to get him,” Torres said.Tullio has pitched 25 innings this season with 16 strikeouts and seven walks. He has started three games for the Pioneers, but has mainly played the role of setup man and closer since conference play started.”He can start a game and get you in deep or can come in for a relief appearance and shut the other team down,” teammate Robert Novia said of Tullio. “His flexibility makes him a real asset.”As far as going from snug and warm Florida to Pittsburgh, a city recently buried by record snowfall, Tullio says he does not mind.”It’s not nearly as warm here, but there is a lot to do. It’s a nice change,” Tullio said.
Tullio plans on finishing his career at Point Park, exploring his options for a professional career in baseball and following in the footsteps of his favorite Major League Baseball (MLB) player, Josh Beckett of the Boston Red Sox.”When Beckett got drafted by the Marlins, I remember watching him play in spring training games, and now that he’s moved to Boston I watch him still and root for them,” Tullio said.Tullio is also close friends with Chris Volstad, who pitches for the Florida Marlins, and is acquainted with Zach Miner, who pitches for the Detroit Tigers.So whether it be throwing a four-seam fastball for a strike or searing a steak, Tullio has a bright future and outlook on life.