Western Carolina lands TCC Baseball’s Chad Mabini

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (August 5, 2015) – Chad Mabini has joined the list of Tallahassee Community College Eagles who are moving on to a four-year school, electing to sign a national letter of intent with the Western Carolina University Catamounts. 

Mabini, an Alpharetta Ga., native, played two seasons at Tallahassee but was part of the Eagles’ program from 2012 to 2015. He missed the entire 2014 season due to an injury. 

A two-way player, Mabini saw action in 87 career games, primarily as a middle infielder. He also made 24 appearances as a pitcher. 

Offensively, Mabini posted a career .248 batting average with four home runs and 31 RBIs. 

The everyday starter at second base as a freshman in 2013, Mabini helped lead the Eagles to the Panhandle Conference Championship and a No. 1 ranking by the NJCAA. En route to being named second-team All-Panhandle Conference, he batted .267 with 53 runs scored, ten doubles, three home runs, 24 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. 

When he returned to the field in 2015, he moved to short and played in more of a dual role, which included a 3.06 ERA in 13 appearances (eight starts) on the mound. 

As a pitcher, Mabini finished his career at Tallahassee with a 4-4 record and 2.91 ERA. 

A variety of factors played into Mabini’s decision to choose Western Carolina, including the opportunity to play close to home – the WCU campus is only 2 ½ hours from Mabini’s hometown. 

“Western Carolina also offers my major (sport management),” Mabini added. “We’ll play high level competition, not only in the Southern Conference, but in the non-conference schedule. 

“WCU is a school that takes pride in athletics, which is something I was looking for. But the major factor (in choosing WCU) was the relationship I felt was forming with (head) Coach (Bobby) Moranda and the players. It just felt like home.” 

And while looking forward to his opportunity to play at Western Carolina, Mabini is also thankful for the opportunities he received at Tallahassee. 

“I could not have gotten to this point in my career without the help and support from everyone at TCC,” Mabini added. “Coach Mac, Coach (Frank) Schaeffer, Coach (Greg) Jones and Coach (Scott) Phillips have all helped me so much in my transition to the next level. They helped me become a better player and teammate (at TCC). 

“They also helped me take on a new role of being a pitcher only, which is what I will be at WCU. TCC not only helped me learn and grow as a player but as a person and a leader which is something I value very much.” 

Mabini was a leader on and off the field at TCC. He served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee from 2012-15 and was named TCC Athletics’ Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2015. He graduated, with honors, from the College in May. 

Western Carolina, an NCAA Division I school, is located in Cullowhee, N.C., and participates as a member of the Southern Conference.