Eden Christian Academy grad Luke Vittone sets career marks at Grove City

Eden Christian Academy graduate Luke Vittone enjoyed a record-setting baseball career at Grove City College.

Times four.

Vittone, 22, wrapped up his playing days with the NCAA Division III Wolverines in 2025 as the career leader in four offensive categories, finishing first in runs scored (156), hits (205), total bases (314) and games played (166).

“Luke was an integral part of our team the day he stepped on campus,” Grove City coach Matt Royer said. “I believe he saved his best for last as he was better than ever his senior year. I thought his defense by far was better than I ever saw from him. It seemed like a highlight reel every time he was out on the field.

“You obviously do not set all the records Luke did by not being on the field constantly. Luke rarely missed a game due to injuries or for any reason. He was a constant in our lineup. He was a key player for our team and a major factor in our success.”

The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Vittone, a Seven Fields resident, played second base as a freshman at GCC. He was moved to shortstop halfway through his sophomore season and played there as a junior before returning to second base this year.

“Overall, I am very thankful for my time playing at Grove City,” Vittone said. “Coach Royer gave me the chance to make an impact from the very beginning of my career, and I’m grateful for the trust he placed in me throughout all four years. There were a lot of ups and downs throughout my four years, but the biggest thing I will take away from my time at Grove City was the relationships I built with my teammates.

“Coach Royer always told us, ‘You won’t be remembered by your statistics, but rather by the kind of teammate you were and the impact you had on those around you.’ I hope I was able to make a positive impact on all of my teammates, and I am very blessed to be leaving with friendships I know will last a lifetime.”

Vittone’s statistics on the diamond — if not memorable — are impressive.

He appeared in 43 games in 2025, batted .319 with 51 hits in 160 at-bats, tied for the team lead in triples (2), and was second on the club in home runs (6) and RBIs (48).

Vittone was successful on a team-leading 13 of 14 stolen base attempts to go along with his team-leading seven sacrifice flies. He also had a .396 on-base percentage, .494 slugging percentage, .890 OPS, 79 total bases, six doubles and 21 walks.

“I felt a sense of confidence this season I hadn’t felt the previous three years,” Vittone said. “I believe a big reason for that was moving back to second base after playing shortstop for two years — the position I grew up playing my entire life. This allowed me to feel freer and more relaxed when I was in the field this year.”

Vittone earned a sizeable list of accolades in his college career.

This season, he was named first team all-conference, ABCA All-Region First Team, ABCA All-Region Defensive Team, D3baseball.com all-region second team and academic all-district.

“It does not surprise me at all Luke left Grove City as the all-time hits leader,” Eden coach Mark Feldman said. “He was one of the best pure hitters I have ever seen. He rarely missed a fastball in the zone. He’s a tireless worker; he’s worked extremely hard at his craft. He is a great example of ‘hard work pays off.’”

Vittone made 43 starts at second base this spring and helped turn 30 double plays while compiling a .974 fielding percentage with only six errors.

Overall, Grove City led the Presidents’ Athletic Conference with a .969 fielding percentage.

Vittone was named all-conference all four years of his career, twice as a second baseman and twice as a shortstop. He also was an ECAC first-team selection at second base in 2022.

“Luke’s speed, quickness, arm strength and pop in his bat were all factors in his success as a player,” Royer said. “He was always in the middle of something good happening.”

A business management major with a minor in economics, Vittone also landed a spot on the PAC spring academic honor roll. He graduated with a 3.52 GPA.

As a junior, Vittone started 41 games and batted.329 with 54 hits, two home runs and 27 RBIs.

“It was a joy having Luke on our team for four years,” Royer said. “He was a great teammate and a pleasure to coach. You always knew you were going to get his best effort.”

Grove City won a program-record 31 games in 2025, breaking the mark of 30 set in 2023. The Wolverines also captured their first PAC title since 2008.

“I couldn’t be happier with how our team played this year,” Vittone said. “After three years of coming up just short, we finally accomplished our main goal of winning the conference championship.

“What made this team so special was how everyone supported each other. When our pitching hit a rough patch midseason, the hitters rose to the occasion and carried us through some key games. Later, when the offense started to struggle, the pitchers stepped up and played a crucial role in securing the title. It was a true team effort from start to finish.”

This year’s NCAA Division III Tournament appearance by the Wolverines was the second in program history and first in 17 years.

“I’ll never forget winning the championship this year,” Vittone said, “and Nick Guidas throwing a perfect game in Florida when I was a sophomore. It’s tough to choose which moment was better, but both stand out as two of my favorite memories of my entire life.”

Vittone began his two-sport career (baseball, golf) at Eden Christian as a freshman second baseman and started in the infield for three years (the 2020 season was canceled). He played shortstop in his senior season and led the Warriors to the state championship as a team captain.

He was awarded all-section status as a sophomore and senior.

Baseball has been a lifelong adventure for Vittone, who currently is working as a project engineer at CPS Construction in Cranberry and does a little bit of coaching to remain in the game.

“The biggest influences in my baseball career are definitely my parents,” he said. “They have supported me my entire life, showing up to every game ever since I was 6 years old.

“The best advice they gave me — especially during tough times — was to focus on making the game fun. That simple shift helped me take a step back, relax and play freely without overthinking.”

Sound guidance for what turned out to be a brilliant career.