WEST HARTFORD, Ct. - “It was between Wagner and Central,” Matt Santoro said about his quandary in deciding what college to attend.

Central Connecticut State, located 10 minutes from home, and Wagner University, which is nearly three hours away, had Santoro at an impasse before a decision was finally made.

“I went back to Central and toured and then took a tour of Wagner,” the Conard High School senior reflected. “I decided Wanger was the right place for me. I wanted to explore something new.”

It was in the summer playing for Gap2Gap when Santoro drew interest from Wagner assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Devin Burke while playing in a tournament in New Jersey.

“He knows the coach of my summer team and he was there,” Santoro said of Burke, who serves as a pitching coach at the Northeast Conference university in Staten Island. “We had a phone call and he wanted me to come to a prospect camp where I did well. After that they wanted me to come pitch for them one more time and I did well then.”

An offer came at the end of summer and a commitment was made in mid-October.

“They like that I’m a lefty pitcher,” the third-rated 2023 southpaw in Connecticut related. “They like that I’m a pretty coachable kid and that I’m athletic.”

Size also played a part in his quest to move on to the next level in baseball.

“It’s been a goal since my freshman year to play D-I and I set my mind to do it,” Santoro explained. “When Covid hit, that motivated me. We have a gym in my basement we use as a family and I was in the house most of the time. I wanted to transform my body and I used that time to focus on that. I was 130 and got to 165 as a sophomore. Now I’m 190.”

Improvement came with getting bigger.

“I’ve definitely gotten better velocity wise,” Santoro said. “Last spring I was sitting 83-84 and this summer was at 85-86. I’m hoping to get to the upper-80s, maybe touch 90 this spring. Repetition is the biggest thing that helped me. The more reps, the better.”

Summer coach Mike McGuire, pitching and lifting coach Brian Pendergast and high school coach Brendan Smith are credited by the 17-year-old as major influences in helping in his development as well as recruitment in what proved to be a difficult process.

“I started going to PBRs my sophomore year and did more pitching lessons,” the seventh-ranked 2023 left-handed pitcher in New England explained. “It was stressful. I wanted it immediately but had to take it into perspective, it takes time. Central Connecticut State saw me this past summer at a PBR showcase and I went to their prospect camp. Coach Mac has a lot of connections and that really helped.

“Once my coaches got involved, I kind of knew I’d get something,” Santoro continued. “But the decision-making process was stressful figuring out where I’m going to spend the next four years.”

By summer’s end, the 137th-ranked senior in New England had an offer from Wagner and a commitment followed not too long after.

“It was a big sigh of relief,” Santoro noted. “It was such a stressful time to make the right decision financially and athletically.

“The biggest thing with Wagner is they promised I’ll play a lot and I’m looking forward to that,” Santoro added. “They said maybe you’ll have a shot at being a two-way, but I expect to be a PO.”

There is one thing the 5-10 190-pounder, who plays outfield when not on the mound, is striving to do most when it comes to being part of the Wagner program.

“I want to change the culture at Wagner,” Santoro pointed out. “They haven’t been too successful.”

There is more that the 3.5 student at Conard, who is planning on a major in business at Wagner, is looking forward to when it comes to college.

“It will be fun competing against the highest level out there,” Santoro said. “I’m also looking forward to getting a job internship. Wagner is near New York City so it’s big for business.”