A California import, Jason Machado is experiencing his first season as a Star with Oklahoma City University in an unusual way.
Machado, a senior originally from Anaheim, Calif., played his first three years of collegiate baseball at Vanguard (Calif.) and transferred to OCU this past fall to finish out his college career.
“My last season at Vanguard, my coach got released and I thought that I was going to have to hang it up,” said Machado. “We didn’t know if we were going to have a program, but a scout in California who knows Keith Lytle pointed me in the direction of OCU.”
Transferring in as a senior Machado had more to prove than most.
“Since I was given the opportunity to play for one more year, and I knew that I would have to work hard to play for a program like OCU, I pushed myself really hard in the weight room and on the field in the fall,” Machado said. “Now all of that hard work is paying off. I knew it was going to be my last season, and I didn’t want to sit on the bench the entire time.
“Playing at Vanguard I knew that OCU was always a nationally-ranked team, and coming here gave me the opportunity to play on a great team. I have already won twice as many games this season than I did at my last season with Vanguard, and we are only half way halfway through the season.”
Adjusting to a new program can be difficult. However, Machado seems to have done it flawlessly.
“I think this team has great chemistry, and we have a really great group of guys,” Machado said. “I clicked really well with all of the guys on and off the field when I came in the fall. I look back now and wish that I had been at OCU for my entire collegiate career.
“Not knowing if I was going to be able to play again after last season was really hard for me. It was a real blessing that I was able to come to OCU and play. I couldn’t have wished for anything more.”
As with any baseball player, the ultimate dream is to be drafted and play professional ball, and Machado is no exception.
“As of right now my goals are to win the national championship with my team and to get drafted,” said Machado. “I want to keep playing baseball as long as possible.”
More on Jason:
Favorite video game: SKATE
Reality show I want to be on: The Girls Next Door
Favorite candy: Reese’s
I never leave home without: My phone
Facebook or MySpace: Facebook
