Trinity’s Robaugh to play close to home at WVU
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Growing up in a family of West Virginia sports fans, Trinity senior Matthew Robaugh knows the lyrics to John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
If he didn’t, the Mountaineer faithful would require him to learn the song very quickly, which is a staple in Morgantown after every home victory.
“My family has always been West Virginia fans, regardless of the sport,” Robaugh said. “It’s nice because they won’t have to travel very far to see me play, plus I can come home whenever I feel like it.”
Robaugh signed his national letter of intent on Nov. 13 to continue his academic and baseball careers at West Virginia University, but he had committed to play for the Mountaineers during his freshman year of high school. He announced his intention to play for West Virginia on X (formerly Twitter) on Jan. 17, 2022.
“It was nice to commit so early because I didn’t have to deal with the whole recruiting process and all the stress that comes with it,” Robaugh said. “It feels good to get the signature on the national letter of intent and make it official.”
Robaugh, who plays at shortstop and will continue as a middle infielder at WVU, is a two-time All-Section First Team honoree and was named to the All-State First Team.
He is ranked as the No. 9 shortstop and No. 48 overall prospect in Pennsylvania and No. 375 shortstop in the country by Perfect Game.
Robaugh plays for the Pittsburgh Spikes in travel ball, and credits Spike head coach Chase Rowe with helping him develop as a player and person.
“Chase is a great guy and he is so intelligent about the game of baseball,” Robaugh said. “He takes all his knowledge and passes it down to the younger generation, and I want to follow that path.”
Baseball has always been part of Robaugh’s life, as his father played at California (Pa.), where his older brother, Brandon Robaugh, is currently a junior and on the baseball team.
Robaugh credits Rowe with informing him to contact the coaches at West Virginia.
“I was playing with some older players during fall ball and Chase (Rowe) texted me to contact the coaches at West Virginia,” Robaugh said. “I went to two prospect camps before committing.”
Randy Mazey was the Mountaineers’ head coach when Robaugh committed, but retired after last season. Steve Sabins, who was WVU’s associate head coach the past three years, was promoted to head coach last June.
Sabins and assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Jacob Garcia were in contact with Robaugh during the recruiting process.
“The whole coaching staff, especially Jacob Garcia and Steve Sabins, make you feel like family,” Robaugh said. “Coach Mazey did a great job with the program.”
Robaugh will major in business, and has aspirations to follow Rowe’s path in developing young players.