Going from an open tryout to capturing an River States Conference (RSC) Championship title, Jaden Karwaski is glad he chose Point Park to pursue a college baseball career.

Karwaski is a redshirt sophomore whose position is in the outfield. He is a current SAEM major hoping to work in the sports industry once he graduates.

A redshirt is a college student-athlete who sits out of gameplay for a season while remaining eligible to compete in four years of college sports.

Karwaski grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, which is a little over 4 hours from Pittsburgh. 

When looking for the right school to pick from, Karwaski knew he “wanted to be in the city.” He also described that his major also played a huge factor in his decision, saying, “The SAEM major was good here, and it is top in the country.”

An open tryout opportunity was presented to Karwaski, and he jumped at it.

“Halfway through my senior year in December, I wanted to play baseball, but I didn’t have anywhere to go yet,” Karwaski said. “Point Park had tryouts here, so I came here with a bunch of other people that are here now that are in my class. We all basically made it at this tryout and that made [coming to Point Park] easier.”

Karwaski ‘s love for the game has been constant, as he went to his first ever baseball game at the age of one. When asked about when baseball first appealed to him, his answer was “forever.” 

Back in Scranton, there is a local baseball team called the Scranton Wilkes Barre Railriders. They are the Triple-A team for the New York Yankees. They play 10 minutes away from Karwaski’s house, and his grandpa has been a Railriders season ticket holder since the stadium opened. 

“We always go there in the summer so baseball has always been a part of my life,” Karwaski said. 

Being a huge Yankees fan, it was no surprise to find out that Karwaski’s role model growing up was five-time World Series Champion and former captain of the Yankees, Derek Jeter. 

“I just like how he knows what to say and when to say it,” Karwaski said. “He’s just a good guy. He carries himself great on and off the field.”

While a redshirt, Karwaski said he has a lot of goals he wants to reach this season. 

“I think I have to get better at hitting the ball in the gaps,” Karwaski said. “I think I’m good with physical attributes, speed, I can steal bases, but fielding too because I’m a utility player; I have to focus on my outfield work and fieldwork.”

Point Park baseball has been a dominant team in the RSC, as last season they captured the RSC Championship title, earning them a bid into the NAIA National Championship opening round. Karwaski said he hopes this upcoming season can be as successful. 

“I think mostly we have everyone from last year into this year, so we have a very close-knit group,” Karwaski said. “Work ethic, everything is the same. We all have that mindset of keep on winning”.

Karwaski said he is most excited about the 2024 Pioneer Team and their “energy.”

“I think [energy] transfers to a lot of success because if you start right off the bat with good energy… someone gets a hit; everyone is hype,” Karwaski said. “You get a good play; it keeps on rolling to the next thing”. 

Get to Know Jayden with some hard-hitting questions:

Are you superstitious?

Yes

What songs are you playing on game day?

Little bit of everything; classic, rock, country

Funniest teammate? 

Isaac Santana 

Something you’re good at but not a lot people know about? 

Bowling – highest score 279

Favorite food?

Steak

Favorite MLB player?

Derek Jeter

Biggest pet peeve?

The sound of a clicking pen

What actor would play yourself in a movie?

Owen Wilson

Dream vacation Spot?

Bahamas 

The men’s season is set to start with an away game on Friday, Feb. 16 against Georgia Gwinnett at 1 p.m.