ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Mason Ligenza, Tamaqua

Athlete of the Week: Mason Ligenza Age: 18 School: Tamaqua Class: Senior Hometown: Brockton Family: Father, Joe Ligenza; mother, Adrienne Ligenza; sister, Lauren, 17) Sport: Baseball Other sports you play or have played: Basketball (last played as a sophomore), golf (played as a freshman) Favorite team: Pittsburgh Pirates Favorite athlete: Konnor Griffin (ninth overall pick by the Pirates in 2024) Favorite school subject: Math Favorite food: Steak Favorite hobby: Golf Favorite movie: Lone Survivor Favorite TV show: Chicago P.D.

Favorite pump-up song: 3.5 by Ian Best advice you ever received: If you want what no one else has, then do what no one else does.

Future plans: Attend the University of Pittsburgh to play baseball, then eventually turn pro and reach the end goal of playing in Major League Baseball.

How important was getting off to a strong start for you individually and from a team perspective? I think getting off to a strong start is very important not only for myself, but for the team because it builds from what we did last year and it sets the tone for the rest of our year, while also building momentum leading into league play.

You had a very successful junior year at Tamaqua and carried that momentum through the summer and fall.

When fall ball ended, how did you stay in baseball mode during the winter months? Throughout the winter months, I had a similar plan to stay ready for the spring as I followed last year.

Getting in the weight room and using the time to get stronger and prepare my body for the upcoming season was a major priority for me.

Also, after getting feedback all summer and fall, changing/fine tuning my swing and my mechanics were another focus I had.

You dont often see a baseball team, particularly at the high school level, put its best power hitter and run-producer in the leadoff spot.

Was that something you had to adapt to at some point? Yeah, I definitely think hitting in that leadoff spot was an adjustment for me and I think I am still adjusting and getting used to it.

I am always trying to think about my approach in that position because it could potentially set the tone of a game for my team if I can come through to start the game whether that be with a hit or a walk.

While it might not always be the most comfortable spot for me to hit in, I believe it puts our team in the best chance to win, and I accept the challenge of being in that spot.

From what we understand, Pittsburgh recruited you as an outfielder.

If so, is there a bittersweet feeling knowing this might be the last year that you get to pitch? Yeah, the coaches at Pitt never shut down the idea of pitching when I get there, as I am still growing into my body and getting stronger, so anything could happen.

However, if this is my last year being able to pitch, it is going to be a bittersweet feeling since I have been pitching ever since they started letting us back in biddy ball.

It has always been a part of my game and I will definitely be sad if that part of my game ends after this season.

Although you have committed to playing college baseball at Pitt, weve heard a number of major league scouts continue to follow you.

Whats that experience like knowing a lot of eyes are watching you play? This past summer/fall I went to events with a lot of eyes watching and those experiences were some of the most fun I have had in my life.

I would be lying to say if I was not nervous seeing scouts show up to high school games to watch me play because I definitely am.

However, whenever I feel those jitters and butterflies, I resort back to the work that I put in and trust in what I have done that got me to that spot.

In those times, I also think of the line of Pressure is a privilege.

I think that really helps me because any pressure there might be from the scouts, friends, family, social media, etc.

is all a privilege to me because that is why I practice and put in the work, so that when these times come, I know I am ready and fully prepared.

Are you anticipating that youll soon have to make a decision on whether to turn pro or play college ball? What will factor into that decision? After going to events this summer, it definitely was eye-opening to me that if I continue to work I could potentially have that opportunity where I have a choice when July rolls around.

However, I think it is important to live in the moment and stay focused on what is happening now, which is getting better every day with my team, and focusing on winning every game we play.

I think that if I stay present and focused on the now, everything will end up the way it was meant to be in the future.

However, I think it is impossible to not think about the what ifs down the line and having open conversations with my parents, my advisor, and those close to me, while also praying about it is important too.

Was there a certain point in your development as a baseball player when you gained the confidence that you could play this game at the highest level? I think this past summer when I was at an event in Alabama and California playing against the top players in the country, I realized that I fit in and belong with these kids.

This was the first real exposure I had to competition like there was at these events and after them, I really felt like my confidence went up because I knew I was meant to be there.

You already possess the tools to be on the way to reaching that level.

Where else does your game need to grow to continue on that path? I think that improving my swing so that it is able to play at the next level is very important, along with getting as much exposure to high level pitching and competition as I can so that when I get to the next level, I am more familiar with the level of play.

I also think a part of the game that does not get talked about enough and has been really important to me is the mental side of the game.

This game is based on failure and the more mentally tough you are, the farther in this game I believe you will go.

I only started really taking that part of my game seriously, and it has really been beneficial so far.

Your Tamaqua team enjoyed success last year, winning the Schuylkill League championship and earning the top seed for the District 11 Class 4A tournament.

How can that experience help this season? I think that experience for us last year was very beneficial especially for the younger kids on our team, who were starting either as freshman or sophomores.

The exposure to playing in those big games, larger crowds, and maybe added pressure is only going to help us this year when we have already been exposed to those environments.

What will be written about Mason Ligenza when his baseball career is done? When my time playing baseball reaches its ending point, it will be written that I played a very long and successful career in the Major League, filled with many wins and exciting moments.

I want it to be written that while I might have had a good career and been a good player, I also want it to say that I was a better person and teammate during my time.

I want to make sure I give back to those that got me where I am but also give to those who want to get where I hopefully got to..

This article has been shared from the original article on republicanherald, here is the link to the original article:

https://www.republicanherald.com/2025/03/24/athlete-of-the-week-mason-ligenza-tamaqua/