AURORA - A smaller school with smaller classes helped Ryan Piech make a big decision.

The Walsh Jesuit sophomore has committed to Xavier University.

“The facilities are great, they’re building a new one that will be done when I get there,” Piech explained about what stood out with the Big East school. “The campus is beautiful. It’s not too big and not too small of a school. Coming from Walsh, I’m used to getting to know the teachers and being able to ask questions. That was a big part for me.”

PBR events helped the fifth-rated 2023 right-handed pitcher in Ohio make a connection with Xavier.

“The first time they really saw me was in February at my first PBR Day with Release,” Piech reflected. “I topped at 83 and that got their eyes on me. In mid-summer I talked with coach (Billy) O’Conner and he told me where he was at with me.

“Then I got invited to the Future Games. I think that gave him interest in me. The Future Games got me to where I am. It was a really good experience. I went down with three of my Walsh teammates and it was great meeting all these good kids from around Ohio. It was good to be around talented baseball players and it helped me learn a little bit.”

Piech was a closer in the final game of the event for Team Ohio.

“My performance showed I’m able to locate my offspeed and get hitters out,” Piech said.

It is something that impressed Xavier.

“They like how I’m able to control my offspeed,” the 21st-ranked sophomore in the state said. “They saw potential in me and feel they’re able to take a risk with me. I’m blessed with the opportunity they’ve given me.”

An offer and commitment came more than a month after the Future Games.

“We talked at the beginning of September about where they were at with me and what he thought,” Piech related. “I visited the school after that and liked the fit. I’m used to a smaller school and smaller classes and that’s what you get at Xavier. I talked to him one more time after that.”

Improvement on the mound has taken place since the 6-2 185-pounder was first seen by Xavier back in February.

“My velocity has gone up since the beginning of the year,” pointed out Piech, who has topped out at 87. “Training at Grady’s (Pitching) School has helped me. Getting in the weight room and getting stronger has been key to the improvements I’ve made. I had a very strong fall and that’s one of the reasons coach came to me. He also commented how my offspeed is getting located.”

The desire to make strides continues for the 15-year-old.

“I need to gain velocity,” Piech explained. “I also want to implement a circle change. I throw a curve and a knuckle change now and still want to locate my fastball better. Getting stronger will help me make an impact.”

The decision to go to college three-and-a-half hours from home is appealing to Piech, who had a 4.07 GPA as a freshman and a 4.1 GPA first quarter this school year.

“Division I baseball is something I’ve always wanted to do, especially at a school like Xavier which is close to home so my parents can come watch,” Piech said. “The education there is top-notch and that’s one of the things that’s important to me.”

The Walsh Jesuit 2023 believes he can benefit the program at Xavier upon arrival.

“I bring a different type of offspeed that people don’t see,” noted Piech, who is looking at a major in either engineering or finance. “People don’t throw a knuckle change very often.”

But there is more Piech can provide.

“I can impact the team by bringing energy and culture to the program, being a good teammate and keeping my grades up,” Piech said.

Indiana, Missouri and Penn State are other schools that had shown interest in Piech.

“All the coaches I talked to were very open and very good to speak to,” Piech said about his recruiting process. “It hit really fast, nothing I really expected. Before the first PBR event I was really under the radar. That event helped get me out there and get my name to coaches.”

Walsh coach Chris Kaczmar and Release coach Matt Rosinski along with his parents and teammates are credited by Piech with being a huge part of helping get where he is in the game of baseball today.

“They all pushed me to be the best I can be,” Piech said.

And now he is a Division I commit to Xavier.

“It’s a feeling of relief knowing I have a really good school to go to and a really good coach that has a good connection with me,” Piech concluded. “Now I can go out and have a good year playing ball with my friends.”