Franklin Regional grad follows junior college path to World Series

When he wasn’t seeing playing time right away at Coastal Carolina, Andrew Muraco began to take inventory on his college baseball future.

The former Franklin Regional star redshirted his first year and started browsing for another opportunity. It didn’t have to be at a Division I program, but it had to be a place where he could grow his game with reps.

Joining forces with Gaston College allowed him to do that — and more.

Muraco transferred to the junior college in Dallas, N.C., and immediately found a role as a third baseman and, of late, a designated hitter.

His plan is to circle back to a larger level after two years at Gaston.

About the more part … Muraco and his new teammates are headed to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I World Series.

“Oh man, it’s awesome to actually just do what was expected since the first day we stepped on campus,” Muraco said. “Our head coach (Shohn Doty) has been pushing us since Day 1 to go as hard as we can to make it there. It’s a surreal feeling to say we are one of eight teams going to the (World Series).

“Hopefully it’s not the last time in my career getting to go. I don’t know too many people, no matter the level, who have can say they’ve played in the college World Series.”

The series is set for May 27-June 3 at Sam Suplizio Field in Grand Junction, Colo.

Gaston, a second-year program, went 41-9 last season but was not yet eligible for postseason play.

Muraco, who helped Franklin Regional win a WPIAL title with a walk-off hit in the 2021 title game, arrived at the right time.

“Just getting on the field here right away … and all the coaches have coached here at a high level, so it was pretty promising,” he said.

Gaston (49-11) is ranked No. 10 in the NJCAA rankings. Muraco has played in 45 games and is slashing .293/.468/.569.

He has six doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 24 RBIs.

A trio of three-hit games and a two-homer, four-RBI game stand out on his resume — which is far from complete.

“I started off hitting in the No. 3 hole and faced some adversity this year, but it’s how you respond,” Muraco said. “I really got hot at the right time going into playoffs and same thing with our team. I’m just glad to be out here with a great group of guys playing the game we love.”

Muraco went 2 for 3 with two homers and four RBIs in an 8-0 win over USC Sumter in the first game of the Region 10 Tournament.

A championship would be a nice cap for “Rock” in his first year of junior college ball. But it is only a step in the process.

“I just plan on to do my thing no matter where it is, but come back here next year and hopefully continue to pursue my goals of playing professional baseball after next year or at whichever four-year (program) I end up,” he said.

“I believe everything happens for a reason, and I couldn’t be happier playing JUCO baseball. It’s definitely under-looked coming out of high school because you don’t realize how big the rosters are at four years.”

Muraco is singing the praises of the junior college level and thinks rising prospects should at least take a look at that level.

“If you’re looking for somewhere to play right away and put up numbers and then get yourself on the map to go somewhere else or sign pro, this it the way to go,” he said. “In JUCO, you are draft eligible every year compared to after your junior year at a four-year school.”