SOUTH LYON - Matt Ineich is wearing a lot of green these days. It happened after the Detroit Central Catholic junior made a commitment to Ohio University.

“I’m really excited to finally make a decision,” the fourth-rated 2024 shortstop in Michigan stated. “Right after I committed I went straight to the Ohio Bobcat store and bought some gear, some shirts and sweatshirts and things. Hopefully, I look good in that Ohio green.”

It was at the Future Games when OU to a liking to Ineich.

“We were in contact during the second day of the Future Games,” Ineich related in reference to the four-day PBR event in Georgia in late summer. “After I went home we set up a visit the first week of September. I went there and loved it. I fell in love with the campus. Nothing compared to it on my other visits. While I was there they made me an offer.”

While Ineich loved what he saw at Ohio U, the 16-year-old did not jump at a decision, weighing interest that was out there from “a lot of MAC schools” among others.

“I wanted to make sure it was what I wanted,” Ineich said.

In the end, the 22nd-ranked junior in the state decided Ohio University was the perfect fit.

“It was kind of stressful for me,” Ineich said of his recruiting process. “Right after the Future Games, things piled up. There were a lot of calls and texts. So I narrowed it down to what I wanted - a medium-size school that was not too far from home.”

The college in Athens, 41/2 hours south of where he lives in Michigan, would be his future place of residence.

“It’s not really far away, but it’s kind of out there,” Ineich noted. “It doesn’t feel like Ohio, it’s hilly and warmer.”

One other thing stood out.

“I built a good relationship with the coaching staff,” Ineich added.

Recent improvement helped the 5-10 172-pounder make an impression on coaches at the Mid-American Conference school.

“Last year I was 150 pounds,” Ineich explained. “In the offseason I worked non-stop with weights and eating. It was a grind, but all worth it now.”

Ohio University sees Ineich and his left-handed bat fitting right in.

“They really like my lefty swing,” Ineich said of OU. “The ball really carries at their park for lefties. They also think I could stick at shortstop and over time get stronger and faster and be a starter for them.”

That is music to the ears of Ineich, who until the Future Games was barely on the radar of colleges.

“Before the Future Games I was talking with one school,” Ineich reflected. “After the Future Games there were eight to 10 schools. I’m so thankful for the opportunity given to be at the Future Games.”

It was a little more than a year earlier when the idea of playing at the next level became something Ineich thought he might want to do.

“I was a starter on varsity and started thinking about college baseball,” Ineich related. “It was then that I quit hockey to focus on baseball. It’s been non-stop ever since, continuing working to get better.”

The Detroit Central Catholic junior did not get where he is alone.

“My parents, especially, have been big in this, supporting me constantly and talking to coaches leading up to the decision to make sure it was right,” pointed out Ineich, who also singled out his coaches and teammates with “playing a big role.”

The left-handed hitting middle infielder is confident about being a key member of the Ohio University program.

“I think I’ll bring something valuable to them,” Ineich noted. “I’m a good player that will be able to spark them. I’ll bring some leadership and definitely a good kid.”

Ineich, who carries a 3.9 GPA and has aspirations to major in business, is excited when looking ahead to his college days in Ohio.

“I can’t wait to create friendships with all my teammates and start bonding,” Ineich concluded. “The grind day in and day out will be fun. I’m just looking forward to a good college experience and, hopefully, extend my baseball career into the pros.”

All, while wearing “that Ohio green.”