King’s student Paul Lytwynec steps up to base one last time for Mustangs baseball team

For King’s student Paul Lytwynec, it was a bittersweet finale to his varsity baseball career with the Western Mustangs.  His squad of OUA All-Stars easily defeated the OUA Champions, Toronto Varsity Blues 7-1 on May 5 at the Roger’s Centre in Toronto.  But, Lytwynec is nostalgic about saying goodbye to a team and educational experience which shaped his life on and off the field.

Fourth-year honors double major Criminology and Political Science student was the starting third baseman for the All-Stars team.

This was Lytwynec’s fourth and final appearance in the OUA Baseball All-Star Showcase following a season that saw him hit .424 and record 18 RBIs.  With four successful years of varsity baseball experience at Western, Lytwynec is honoured that he had the chance to train and be a part of a supportive and dynamic team like the Mustangs.

“The Mustangs is the best team I have ever played on,” says Lytwynec.  “Although I have played for other leagues, it is by far one of the most energetic team environments I have ever been a part of, and I don’t think any other team can compare.”

Lytwynec cherishes the memories with his team over the years including winning the OUA Championship in 2009 during his first season with the Mustangs and moving onto the OUA Baseball All-Star Showcase.  Over the next two years, Lytwynec joined the Mustangs again at the OUA finals and brought home the silver both times.

“I loved everything about my time at King’s.  I got the education I wanted while playing for a varsity team.  I was successful in all of my classes and I met so many people in both of my programs,” says Lytwynec.  “At the same time, many of my friends and teammates were on main campus.  It was just the perfect combination of both experiences.”

Although Lytwynec was offered scholarships to varsity schools in the States, he was drawn to the academic and athletic opportunities offered at King’s. Canadian baseball players tend to move across the border for baseball scholarships, but Lytwynec feels it’s important for Canadian athletes to support their country.

“The OUA is a great league, and it’s only going to get better when more athletes participate. The difference I’ve seen from 2009 until now is that baseball is changing,” says Lytwynec. “Don’t forget about Canada; we have professional leagues throughout the school year and during the summer, and there are always great coaching opportunities.”

Lytwynec started coaching the baseball team at A.B. Lucas High School in London in 2009, and will continue to coach for the 2013-2014 season.  In his fourth consecutive year, he will be playing with the London Majors as the team’s short stop.

Now that Lytwynec is graduating from King’s in June 2013, he plans to spend the year focusing on baseball and determining his next career move.

For more information about the Western Mustangs baseball team, please visit www.westernmustangs.ca/index.aspx?path=baseball&tab=baseball