Frankfort-Schuyler standout Matt Rotundo will not be going too far to continue his baseball career.
Rotundo has signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Herkimer County Community College next season.
Rotundo becomes the latest in a mounting list of quality local players that have chosen to stay close to home and play for a Generals’ program that is quickly building itself into a national power.
One of Rotundo’s former high school teammates, Nick Testa, just completed his two-year career at HCCC and will be playing Division II baseball in West Virginia next season.
Other local talent to play under Rathbun in recent years have been Little Falls’ Chad Salls, Herkimer’s Preston Poznoski and Oriskany’s Todd Allen.
All of those players have moved on to bigger programs including Allen, who is now playing at Division I University of Vermont.
Rotundo, who is expected to play the middle infield, will bring an impressive resume to HCCC. After batting .515 as a junior, the shortstop hit .515 his senior season. He was a first team Center State Conference Division I all-star both of those seasons.
In the summer, Rotundo plays for Adrean Post American Legion.
Rathbun was quite pleased with his latest signing.
“Matt has the drive and desire to win and compete at a high level,” Rathbun said. “I think he will push other players to give their best effort every day. He’s a real competitor on the field.”