Over the years, Michael Pascoe has experienced his share of big moments.

They began in his early youth, hitting a walk-off homer on the first pitch in his Little League championship, to going 4-for-5 and nearly hitting for the cycle in his first collegiate baseball game for Chestnut Hill College.

Being in the spotlight, though, isn’t anything new for the former Panther Valley standout.

The 2023 graduate excelled in baseball, football, and basketball, as well as track and field during his time at Panther Valley.

In his senior year at Panther Valley, the 6-3, 240-pound Pascoe quarterbacked his team to its first victory in two years when he rushed for 203 yards in a season-opening victory over Salisbury, one that launched a productive campaign the rest of the way.

He then was a steady contributor to the basketball team, averaging 6.1 points per contest, and helping his team to an overall 13-10 record.

In the spring, Pascoe hit. 632 with eight homers and 30 RBIs along with 40 runs scored for the baseball team. A year earlier, Pascoe, nicknamed “The Big Ticket,” was instrumental in leading his team to a district title, hitting .439 in the process.

Last fall, Pascoe took his talents to Chestnut Hill to concentrate on a baseball career.

Pascoe made an immediate splash last season, as he hit .338 in 38 games with four homers, 38 RBIs, scored 26 runs, and stole 11 bases in 12 attempts. On the mound, Pascoe went 1-2 with an 8.51 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 24 innings, and had one complete game. The Griffins finished with an overall 15-27 mark last year.

He also worked his way through the season with a nagging ankle injury.

“The biggest hurdle I had to overcome this year was spraining my ankle around the midway point of the season,” recalled Pascoe. “The recovery process was long and not having the support of family around there was a huge adjustment I had to make.”

Parents Michael and Beth have been a central point and driving force for his career.

“My two biggest influences on my sports career is my mother and father,” stressed Pascoe. “My dad has always pushed and helped me strive to be the best player I could be, and my mother always made sure I was at my practices or games on time and was prepared.”

Still, it was a successful debut, and Pascoe didn’t have any regrets about making the move to the Philadelphia suburbs.

“I choose Chestnut Hill for a few reasons,” stated Pascoe. “I really liked the high energy coaching attitude that coach (Bob) Spratt had. I also was going to have an opportunity to potentially get playing time as a freshman, and it was close enough to home that I could still see my family.

“It has worked out well.”

Spratt is confident Pascoe can take the next step this spring.

“Mike had a nice year for us last year,” said Spratt. “He transitioned very quickly, and hit the ball well. He worked on his pitching, and we know that will improve.”

During the summer, Pascoe put in time on the mound, and he expects to further develop his repertoire.

“Over the summer I have begun to develop a good changeup,” noted Pascoe. “I hope it can be a very deceiving and effective pitch to throw off of a fastball.”

“I also will continue to work on my curveball.”

Even with a budding career and his focus on one sport, Pascoe hasn’t lost touch with his roots.

He remembers ending his football career at home with a win under the lights against Nativity, feeding teammate Stephen Hood for a winning three-point, buzzer-beater against North Schuylkill with the fans then storming the court, and winning the Schuylkill League shot put and medaling in the discus in both league and district meets.

Pascoe truly was a man for all sports seasons, and left his mark. He finished his football career as the school’s all-time leading rusher.

“I only had the opportunity to coach Michael for one year but his leadership qualities were awesome and I loved coaching him,” gushed Panther Valley head football coach Mark Lavine. “Michael was a leader in all four sports he played, but he really excelled in baseball and led PV to a great season his senior year.

“I’ve always said someone missed out on him on the 1-AA level, and you see that on how he is excelling in college. He only has great things ahead of him.”

Panther Valley head boys’ basketball coach Pat Crampsie shared some similar sentiments.

“Michael Pascoe really remind me of a throwback multisport high school athletes,” recollected Crampsie. “He loved to play ball with his friends and was a tough kid. He was a key part of our basketball team, and was willing to do whatever it took. We always could count on him for defense, rebounding and grit.

“Basketball was probably the lowest priority of the sports he played. But that didn’t stop him from coming out and doing the dirty work and trying to help us win. He is the type of athletes coaches love to have in any sport.”

Over the next three years, Chestnut Hill College is likely to find out the same thing.

******

Former Jim Thorpe standout Skyler Searfoss has continued to excel for Holy Family College women’s basketball team. Searfoss, a junior, is averaging 9.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, and has also put up 49 assists.

Searfoss earned Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Defensive Player of the Week honors on Monday, following a 2-0 week. It is her second career Defensive Player of the Week award. Searfoss had six steals, two blocks and 10 defensive rebounds as the Tigers limited opponents to 59.5 points per game on 37.5 percent shooting.

After leading all players with three steals, to go along with three defensive boards, in Wednesday’s win at Chestnut Hill, the junior had team-highs of three steals and seven defensive rebounds, while adding two blocks, in Saturday’s victory at Bloomfield.

In her freshman year, Searfoss was named the D2East Hoops and CACC Rookie of the Year. During her first year, Searfoss led the team in scoring with 13.6 points per game.

******

Tamaqua graduates Hailey Toth (senior) and Alexis Buchala (freshman) recently helped Penn State-Altoona post a 176-71 victory over Lycoming in the team’s home opener.

Toth placed first in the 100-yard breaststroke, and Buchala teamed with Toth and two other teammates to win the 200-yard freestyle relay.

******

College Corner is a review of local athletes who are excelling and extending their career at the next level. Please submit your thoughts or any college athlete to tnsports@tnonline.com