Being a two-sport athlete in college is not an easy thing to do. For Waynesburg University senior Hudson Pincavitch, it takes long days and a lot of discipline to compete at a high level in both baseball and golf.

“It’s not very easy,” Pincavitch said. “It requires me to be disciplines and do things people don’t want to do. Lots of sacrifices were made along the way for me to succeed the way I have.”

Pincavitch throughout his college career has been a key player for both sports. He balances two practice schedules and schoolwork while still managing to find time for a job. He said that the key is to stay focused on what matters the most each day.

“I prioritize what is most important right at that moment,” Pincavitch said. “I can’t get too far into the future whenever I have things right in front of me to do.”

Baseball and golf are very different sports, but Pincavitch said that the two sports have more in common than people may think. An important lesson that he has learned from golf has carried over to the way he pitches on the mound.

“Golf gave me a lesson that I have used in baseball,” Pincavitch said. “That is that you have another shot to play. I shouldn’t dwell on the one I had just hit. When it comes to pitching, you have to forget about what just happened and focus on what is to come.”

Head golf coach Mike Cipoletti said that Pincavitch’s success comes down to his commitment and his consistency.

“Hudson is committed to it,” Cipoletti said. “He’s not just showing up to class, practices, and all of his extracurriculars, he’s committed to being as good as he can be at all of these things. He works with purpose.”

Cipoletti said Pincavitch also shows strong leadership skills through how he supports his teammates.

“I think he care about his teammates as much as he does his own performance,” Cipoletti said. “He knows that his round score is important to more than just himself. Knowing that other people are counting on him to provide motivation and resilience.”

Cipoletti was asked to describe his senior captain in three words, and he didn’t hesitate to answer.

“He’s committed, confident, and caring,” Cipoletti said.

The Yellow Jacket’s baseball pitching coach Luke Kiger, who played multiple sports himself during his time at Waynesburg University knows how difficult it is to play on multiple teams.

“It’s hard to play multiple sports in college,” Kiger said. “You have to maintain grades differently, time manage differently. You have to understand how hard that is.”

Kiger said that this year’s fall baseball season was especially challenging for Pincavitch, because the team’s practices started earlier than usual that overlapped a lot with his golf season.

“Last year’s fall ball started later, which gave him more opportunity to focus on golf,” Kiger said. “This year started earlier, and Hudson has to lift, throw, and run on his own while representing Waynesburg University by playing golf.”

Despite that major challenge, Kiger said that Pincavitch continues to set the tone for the younger baseball players.

“I see him as a leader by example,” Kiger said. “He’s not a selfish guy, and he gives a lot to offer to the younger guys.”

Even with all the challenges, Pincavitch stays motivated by looking at the bigger picture.

“Knowing that things will work it in the end,” Pincavitch said. “Pushing myself over these four years to put myself in a position to succeed later in life.”

After spending several years balancing both sports, Pincavitch has learned the importance of taking care of his mind and body.

“Take your breaks when provided,” Pincavitch said. “It’s so easy to get wrapped into what you have to do next. But take time for not only your body but your mental health.”

Both Cipoletti and Kiger say his attitude on and off the field is going to carry him through the tough times of life.

“Balancing the rigorous demands of academic coursework, athletic competition, and extracurricular involvement typically requires exceptional time management, discipline, and perseverance I have observed each of those in Hud,” Cipoletti said. “I think you have to be confident in yourself, too Hudson has plenty of confidence.”

Pincavitch stated that while his schedule can be exhausting at times, he wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. Whether he’s on the mound getting ready for a pitch or picking a target to aim for on the golf course, his goal remains the same. Represent Waynesburg University the best he can, be a good example for the people around him, and ultimately win the Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship.