UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State baseball program, led by head coach Rob Cooper, welcomed five members of its 2023 signing class.
The signees include two pitchers, a catcher, a shortstop and an outfielder. It also includes three signees from Pennsylvania, one from New Jersey and one from Virginia.
The Nittany Lions won 26 games in 2022. Penn State made its first Big Ten Tournament appearance since 2012, earning a 5-2 win over No. 3 seed Iowa.
Penn State won Big Ten series against Purdue, Minnesota and Michigan State, sweeping the Spartans. The Nittany Lions also earned a win in each series against Rutgers, No. 23 Maryland, Northwestern and Ohio State.
The Nittany Lions return 32 members from the 2022 squad. Including transfers, Penn State welcomes 11 newcomers.
Mason Butash
6-2/195 | R/R | RHP | Chantilly, Va./Freedom
HIGH SCHOOL
Played at Freedom High School for head coach Mark Wrighte…Led Freedom to a 26-2 record and a Virginia Class 6A State Championship in 2022…Also helped Freedom to district and regional championships…Named first team All-State and All-Metro…Earned District Player of the Year honors in 2022…Garnered first team All-District and All-Regional accolades…As a junior, went 5-0 with a 2.52 ERA in 26 innings. Tallied a school-record 40 strikeouts to go with a save and an opponent batting average of .108. At the plate, batted .551 with 38 hits, 30 RBI, 37 runs and 29 steals…Ranked as the No. 19 prospect and No. 7 right-handed pitcher in Virginia by Prep Baseball Report…Tabbed as the No. 23 prospect and No. 9 right-handed pitcher in Virginia by Perfect Game…Played travel ball for Northeast Pride.
PERSONAL
Son of Jeffrey and Michelle Butash…Has a sister, Ava…Uncle, Tom Smith, attended Penn State…Intends to major in management.
Michael DiMartini
6-1/205 | R/R | SS | Pittsburgh, Pa./South Fayette
HIGH SCHOOL
Played at South Fayette High School for head coach Ken Morgan…Helped South Fayette to a 14-5 record and a WPIAL Class 5A Quarterfinals appearance in 2022…Earned first team All-Conference honors…As a junior, batted .471 with two homers, 24 RBI and 15 steals…Ranked as the No. 19 prospect and No. 4 shortstop in Pennsylvania by Perfect Game…Rated as the No. 21 prospect and No. 4 shortstop in the state by Prep Baseball Report…Played travel ball for US Elite.
PERSONAL
Son of Jason and Melissa DiMartini…Has a brother, Christopher, and two sisters, Sophia and Nina…Mother, Melissa, and sister, Sophia, attended Penn State as well as his cousins Nick and Maria Guido…Intends to major in kinesiology.
Mason Horwat
6-1/185 | R/R | RHP | Pittsburgh, Pa./Avonworth
HIGH SCHOOL
Played at Avonworth High School for head coach Christopher Bardakos…Helped Avonworth to a 16-9 mark and an appearance in the WPIAL Class 3A Semifinals in 2022…As a junior, went 7-1 on the mound with a 1.80 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 36 innings…Ranked as the No. 51 prospect in No. 19 right-handed pitcher in Pennsylvania by Prep Baseball Report…Tabbed as the No. 72 prospect and the No. 28 right-handed pitcher in the state by Perfect Game…Played travel ball for US Elite.
PERSONAL
Son of Bob and Jackie Horwat…Has a brother, Nick…Undecided on a major.
Martin Howell
6-2/205 | R/R | C | Gillette, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional
HIGH SCHOOL
Played at Watchung Hills Regional High School for head coach Joey Tremarco…Helped Watchung Hills Regional to the North Jersey Section 2 Group 4 Semifinals in 2022…Batted .500 as a junior and .450 as a sophomore…Was a second team All-Conference selection…Rated as the No. 32 prospect and No. 4 catcher in New Jersey by Prep Baseball Report…Ranked as the No. 81 prospect and No. 9 catcher in the state by Perfect Game…Played travel ball for the Diamond Jacks.
PERSONAL
Son of Martin and Jennifer Howell…Has a sister, Kate…Father, Martin, played basketball at Saint Louis University…Intends to major in business.
Adin Zorn
6-2/180 | R/R | OF | Aliquippa, Pa./Sewickley Academy
HIGH SCHOOL
Played at Sewickley Academy for head coach Andrew Petruska…Helped Sewickley Academy to a 9-6 record and an appearance in the WPIAL Class 1A Quarterfinals…Is a two-time All-WPIAL and All-Section honoree…Was named a Beaver County All-Star twice…Earned team MVP honor twice…As a junior, batted .617 with 29 hits, including 12 doubles, a triple and three homers, 15 RBI and 22 runs in 15 games. Added nine stolen bases. His .617 average set a school record…In 2021, batted .571 with 24 hits, including 17 extra-base hits, 23 RBI and 16 runs. Added 12 stolen bases…Rated as the No. 20 outfielder in Pennsylvania by Prep Baseball Report…Tabbed as the No. 21 outfielder in PA by Perfect Game…Also played soccer at Sewickley Academy, earning three All-Section honors as well as All-WPIAL and section player of the year accolades…Played travel ball for the Pittsburgh Diamond Dawgs.
PERSONAL
Son of John and Julia Zorn…Father, John, played college football at Gannon University…Intends to major in supply chain management.
