Shorter Finds Dayton To Be The Perfect Fit

Sebastian Shorter RHP / SS / Wylie E Groves High School, MI / 2026

DETROIT - One visit was all it took. Dayton was the perfect fit for Sebastian Shorter.

“Outside of baseball, I like that the university is Catholic and the fact that it’s smaller,” Shorter explained about what made the college in southwest Ohio the right choice for him. “I like to keep to myself. The facilities are also beautiful, baseball-wise and school-wise.”

The 31/2 hour trip to Dayton was the first visit lined up after the Wylie E. Groves High School junior received “a few calls from coaches” on Aug. 1 when contact was initially permitted with players in the 2026 class.

“After I went to Dayton that’s when I stopped reaching out to others,” the 16-year-old said. “The campus felt like home and the coaching staff made me feel wanted.”

An offer was presented on the Oct. 26 visit and Shorter accepted on Nov. 11.

“They like that I’m an athlete,” the 14th-rated 2026 right-handed pitcher in Michigan noted about Dayton. “They said I’m an amazing talent that can pitch and play the field.”

An opportunity to both pitch and play middle infield was important to the 6-3 186-pounder.

“It means a lot,” Shorter related. “I want to keep the bat in my hands for as long as possible, until someone tells me to stop. Pitching is my favorite, but I hit .462 this summer and feel I can do either well.”

Shorter showed off his abilities on the mound at two camps, hitting 92 with his fastball at Indiana and 93 at West Virginia, sparking interest from coaches at the next level.

“A year ago I went to MLK and hit 89,” Shorter reflected. “I got in the weight room after that and hit 90 but was stuck at that for awhile. But this summer I jumped to 92. I credit my pitching coach Jharel Cotton.”

Shorter also pointed to weight lifting coach Nate Collins and hitting coaches Bruce Fields and Josh Martin with benefitting the cause in his baseball development.

“I’ve always wanted to play college at the D-I level, I knew I wanted to do that,” Shorter explained. “At 12U I started breaking away and showing my talent and I’m thinking … I can make this happen.”

Recruitment help was important in getting noticed.

“I went to a Prep Baseball event in Ohio hosted by the Warhawks and got a lot of video that I was able to send out to coaches to see me,” Shorter said. “Dayton saw that.”

Shorter also pointed to another key factor in his life.

“I want to thank my parents for guiding me, making sure everything works out,” Shorter noted. “I just turned 16, so my parents driving me everywhere was a big part of this.”

A commitment brought a huge sigh of relief for the 33rd-ranked junior in Michigan.

“What a great feeling,” Shorter explained. “I’ve reached for this a long time. Every night it was on my mind, where am I going to go? I look back at that now, and I don’t have to worry about it anymore.”

Instead, he can focus on what’s ahead as a student-athlete playing baseball in the Atlantic 10 university program.

“I’m a very competitive person and a leader,” Shorter said. “I can bring that to the program. I like to help others and want everyone to get better and understand things more.”

A major in IT is being considered by Shorter, a 3.4 student excited about what his life will be like at Dayton.

“I look forward to playing baseball everyday,” Shorter concluded. “I love putting in the work every day. I also can’t wait for the competition.”