Mike Madura said he heard from 80 Division I schools while going through the recruiting process.

The Munster sophomore pitcher/infielder found the right fit with Central Michigan.

“I loved all the coaches. I loved the area. I loved everything about the campus,” Madura said in a phone interview. “I loved everything about Central Michigan.”

Madura visited the school on Oct. 10. He orally committed on Oct. 21.

“When I went on my visit, they were just so personal with me,” he said. “They made sure I experienced their campus the best way that I should and made sure I had a great time when I went and visited.”

Madura spent the 2014 season on Munster’s freshman team. He also played on the Indiana Chiefs of Hammond travel team. Madura had a 6-2 record with a 0.98 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP for the Chiefs.

“He’s a very good pitcher that has a very bright future ahead of him. That’s one of the big reasons why schools came knocking,” said Chiefs coach Todd Iwema. “He’s 6-5 and 150 pounds. Once he matures and gets a little stronger, the sky’s the limit as far as his potential.”

Madura earned a spot on the WWBA Perfect Game National Championships all tournament team as a pitcher at an event in Atlanta.

“I felt honored that the people that chose that team chose me,” he said.

Madura said he began pitching when he was 7.

“I love the matchup going up against the batter,” Madura said. “I love getting guys out.”

He does it with one of four pitches — fastball, slider, knuckle-curve or a sinker.

“He’s not been the person who relied on just throwing the ball past people. He knows how to pitch,” Iwema said. “He can throw any pitch in his arsenal at any time for a strike, whether it is a 3-1 count or an 0-2 count. That’s his biggest asset.”

The approach has led to positive results.

“I focus on throwing strikes, getting guys out on my pitches,” Madura said. “I want to work ahead in the count. I want to get outs every way that I can. That’s my job as a pitcher, just get outs.”

And that’s the type of pitcher Central Michigan is getting.

“Central Michigan stepped up to the plate and gave me that offer that I was looking for,” Madura said. “That was the school I was looking for. I loved everything about it and that’s why I chose Central Michigan.”