Wayne State University Athletics

Baseball 9/5/2025 11:45:00 AM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Baseball Adds Four Freshmen Hurlers

DETROIT -- Ryan Kelley, who began his 18th season as the baseball head coach at Wayne State University last month, has announced the signing of four freshmen pitchers. The quartet includes RHP Matt Mareno (Saline, Mich.), LHP Joel Mator (Trenton, Mich.), RHP Luke O'Keefe (Saint John, Ind. / Lake Central), and LHP/1B Bryce Simpson (Clay, Mich. / Algonac).

Matt Mareno, RHP, 6-3, 213, R/R, Saline, Mich. / Saline
High School: A 2025 graduate of Saline High School ... was a three-year letterwinner for coach Al Zeiher ... tossed a no-hitter as a senior vs. Ann Arbor Pioneer ... earned All-Southeastern Conference Red Division honors ... compiled a 7-2 record in nine starts as a sophomore with a 2.97 ERA and 43 strikeouts ... also played the outfield for the Hornets ... saw action on the football squad for SHS ... received Scholar-Athlete recognition ... was a member of the Gold Honor Roll all four years ... plays baseball during the summer for Legacy and coach Dan Muller.

Personal: Full name -- Matthew Mareno ... born on June 28, 2007, in Ypsilanti, Mich. ... son of Steve and Shelly Mareno ... plans to major in Mechanical Engineering ... last name is pronounced Ma-reen-o.

Joel Mator, LHP, 6-1, 195, L/L, Trenton, Mich. / Trenton
High School: A 2025 graduate of Trenton High School ... was a three-year letterwinner for coach Todd Szalka ... helped the Trojans to a 30-10 record as a senior and a spot in the regional final, after THS compiled a 30-11 mark in 2024, including an extra-inning setback in the state semifinals ... received 2025 Detroit Free Press Honorable Mention All-Metro Detroit accolades after compiling a 0.52 ERA ... earned MHSBCA (Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association) Second Team Division 2 All-State honors in 2024 ... allowed one unearned run in 5.1 innings with 11 strikeouts in a 2-1 district semifinal win over New Boston Huron as a senior ... compiled a 6-3 record as a junior with a 0.65 ERA in 64.2 innings ... surrendered an unearned run in the 2024 district final win over Southgate Anderson finishing with seven strikeouts and zero walks and just one hit allowed in 6.1 innings ... struck out 56 batters in 29.1 innings as a sophomore with a 1.45 ERA ... concluded prep career with 227 strikeouts in 147.2 innings of varsity action ... also played tennis for THS ... plays during the summer for the South Oakland A's and coach Tom Cooney.

Personal: Full name -- Joel T. Mator ... born on February 22, 2007, in Wyandotte, Mich. ... son of James and Karen Mator ... has an older brother, Nick, and an older sister, Lauren ... plans to major in Management.

Luke O'Keefe, RHP, 6-1, 180, R/R, Saint John, Ind. / Lake Central
High School: A 2025 graduate of Lake Central High School ... was a four-year varsity letterwinner for coach Mike Swartzentruber ... helped the Indians to the 2024 Division 4A state title ... recorded a 2.11 ERA during four seasons on varsity, including a 1.14 ERA in 2024 in 24.2 innings with 25 strikeouts ... compiled a 2.56 ERA in 38.3 innings as a senior with 42 strikeouts and a 6-2 record ... tossed two shutouts against Penn High School and one vs. Valparaiso ... squad won the Duneland Athletic Conference (DAC) three of his four years ... aided in LCHS compiling a 24-5 mark in 2025, including a 13-1 record in the DAC ... served as a team captain ... earned Academic All-State as well as Academic All-American recognition ... played summer ball for the Lake County Corndogs and coach Justin Huisman.

Personal: Full name -- Luke C. O'Keefe ... born on June 10, 2006, in Saint John, Ind. ... son of John and Brandy O'Keefe ... has an older sister, Lindsey ... aunt Shelly Hansen ran cross country at IUPUI in 1999 ... plans to major in Finance.

Bryce Simpson, LHP/1B, 6-2, 185, R/L, Clay, Mich. / Algonac
High School: A 2025 graduate of Algonac High School ... was a two-year letterwinner for coach Scott Thaler ... received 2024 MHSBCA Division 3 All-State Second Team honors as a junior after being named First Team All-District and First Team All-Region ... compiled a 0.93 ERA (8 ER in 60.1 innings) in 2024 with 87 strikeouts and only 36 hits allowed ... recorded a 1.59 ERA in 2025 with 34 strikeouts in 22 innings ... also played first base for the Muskrats ... tossed a no-hitter against Ecorse ... selected to the 2024 All-Blue Water Area Conference (BWAC) First Team ... served as a team captain ... earned Academic All-District recognition ... also played basketball for AHS earning Honorable Mention All-BWAC as a senior ... played summer ball for the Detroit Prospects and coach Justin Robinson.

Personal: Full name -- Bryce J. Simpson ... born on July 11, 2006, in Detroit ... son of Erik and Barbara Simpson ... has an older sister, Maria ... plans to major in Management.

This quartet joins the previously announced four freshmen position players. Two additional newcomer stories will be forthcoming regarding transfers for the 2025-26 school year.

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Players Mentioned

Matt Mareno: RHP; 6' 3"; Freshman; R/R

Joel Mator: LHP; 6' 1"; Freshman; L/L

Bryce Simpson: LHP/1B; 6' 2"; Freshman; R/L

Luke O'Keefe: RHP; 6' 1"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

Matt Mareno
: 6' 3"; Freshman; R/R
: RHP

Joel Mator
: 6' 1"; Freshman; L/L
: LHP

Bryce Simpson
: 6' 2"; Freshman; R/L
: LHP/1B

Luke O'Keefe
: 6' 1"; Freshman; R/R
: RHP