Admitting he needed to get a better grip on his academics while continuing to improve his game, Andrew Muraco took a roundabout way back to Division I baseball.

But here he is, back on the doorstep and raring to go again.

The former Franklin Regional standout and WPIAL championship game hero made a pledge to play at Old Dominion after spending two seasons at nationally ranked Gaston, a junior college in Gaston County, N.C.

A sophomore, Muraco will have two years of eligibility left at ODU, which is in Norfolk, Va.

He thanks Gaston for “the greatest detour of my life.”

The move is both full-circle and gratifying for Muraco, who began his college career at Coastal Carolina, a place that had the comfort level of a wool sweater in summer for the second baseman.

Muraco found comfort and a place to revamp at Gaston. The “JC” route is often fruitful for players looking to be all-systems-go for the Division I game.

A measure of humility and a large dose of patience went into his career affirmation.

“It was (mainly for) academic reasons, but I made a huge stride academically and on the field,” he said. “I’m more ready for that level next year than I was before, obviously, with just being more polished in every stage of the game.

“I just really started to hone in on my craft.”

Muraco delivered a walk-off single to lift Franklin Regional to a 2-1 win over Bethel Park to win the 2021 WPIAL Class 5A championship.

In 48 games this season, Muraco was slashing .378/.517/.646 and has seven home runs, 11 doubles and just as many runs as RBIs (47).

He is listed as an infielder/outfielder but expects to play second at ODU.

Old Dominion came into the picture only recently.

“They came to our games a few weeks back,” said Muraco, who was set to begin the Region 10 D1 playoffs with Gaston (49-6), which played in the National Junior College World Series last year.

He said he owes Gaston the world but is anxious to take his next step.

“It’s phenomenal — a great place and great coaches, I can’t wait to get there,” he said.

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