ACBL Matt Ervolina, Allentown Railers:
Allentown Railers manager Dylan Dando has known Matt Ervolina since Ervolina was nine years old at the Lehigh Valley Baseball Academy. He has watched Ervolina’s progress over the years, including his just completed Parkland High School career.
When Dando’s Railers were down three infielders at the start of this season, he inserted Ervolina at shortstop. He has stayed there.
“He had made every play at short and has contributed significantly offensively,” Dando said. “He’s had hits, he’s walked a bunch of times. He’s on base constantly. It’s pretty amazing for a high school kid to come in and do that. He’s the first high school position player I’ve ever had.”
Ervolina understands getting to play in the ACBL before getting to college is rare. His time with the Railers will benefit him at Mercer County Community College.
“Not a lot of kids my age get this opportunity so I want to take full advantage,” he said. “My main focus this season is to prep for college and these are some of the best pitchers I have ever faced so I would say it’s good prep for college.”
Dando doesn’t know if Ervolina can maintain his fast start, but he knows the effort will be there.
“He’s a throwback,” Dando said. “The only thing that’s important in his life is baseball. He’s 100 percent dedicated to it. It’s the only thing he wants to do and it shows on the field. There are no distractions with him.”