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Updated February 15, 2024


Evan C. Mascitti

(608) 513-8800

evanmascitti@gmail.com

https://www.evan-soil.io/

Summary

I am a soil and turfgrass scientist. I earned my PhD at Penn State in 2023, with a focus on engineered soil mixtures for baseball fields. I also worked as a sports turf manager for several years before returning to graduate school. While earning my PhD, I learned and demonstrated all the skills required of a modern scientist: conduct novel experiments, write in academic and popular formats, speak to a variety of audiences, teach and mentor students, build software, and attract external funding. I currently work as a Senior Engineer at Biocore LLC, where I facilitate research on high-performance athletic fields.

Education

Ph.D, Soil Science - Penn State University (2023)

M.S., Agronomy - Penn State University (2014)

B.S., Geology - Beloit College, Beloit, WI (2012)

Employment

Biocore LLC (July 2023-present)

Charlottesville, VA

Pennsylvania State University (January 2019-June 2023)

University Park, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Club (August 2016-December 2018)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Gwinnett Braves Baseball Club (January 2016-August 2016)

Lawrenceville, Georgia

H&K Sports Fields (January 2015-January 2016)

Madison, Wisconsin

New York Mets Baseball Club (May 2014-October 2014)

Flushing, New York

Penn State University (August 2012-December 2014)

University Park, PA


Publications

Peer-reviewed manuscripts

Mascitti, E.C., McNitt, A.S., and Serensits, T.J, 2017. Divot resistance of thick cut sod as influenced by preharvest nitrogen and sand topdressing. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 13: p. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.2134/itsrj2017.01.0010

Mascitti, E.C., McNitt, A.S., and P.J. Drohan. 2024. Atterberg limits of baseball infield soils containing over-size particles, Part I: effect of particle size. Soil Research. https://www.publish.csiro.au/SR/SR23029

Mascitti, E.C., McNitt, A.S., and P.J. Drohan. 2024. Atterberg limits of baseball infield soils containing over-size particles, Part II: Effects of sand angularity and uniformity. https://www.publish.csiro.au/SR/justaccepted/SR23030

Mascitti, E.C., and A.S. McNitt. 2024 (In press). A laboratory method to measure deformation of baseball infield soil surfaces using cleated footwear. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P.

Manuscripts in preparation

Mascitti, E.C. and McNitt, A.S. 2024. Effect of particle size distribution and clay mineralogy on behavior of drying baseball infield soils. In preparation; planned submission to Sports Engineering.

Mascitti, E.C. and McNitt, A.S. 2024. Using the unconfined compression test to measure toughness of fine-grained soils. In preparation; planned submission to Applied Clay Science.

Trade magazine articles

Mascitti, E.C. What is clay? SportsField Management Magazine. October issue. https://sportsfieldmanagementonline.com/2021/10/12/what-is-clay/13123/

Mascitti, E.C. and McNitt, A.S., 2021. Dissecting infield playability. SportsField Management Magazine. March issue. https://sportsfieldmanagementonline.com/2021/03/15/dissecting-infield-playability/12504/

Mascitti, E.C., McNitt, A.S., and Serensits, T.J., 2016. Lean and mean: Sod production for in-season field replacements. SportsTurf Magazine. https://sportsfieldmanagementonline.com/2016/05/31/lean-and-mean-sod-production-for-in-season-field-replacements/8035/

Blog posts

Available at evan-soil.io/blog.


Teaching experience

Instructor of record

SOILS 921a, Turfgrass edaphology - Spring 2023 (Instructor rating 7/7)

Lab instructor/Teaching assistant

SOILS 102, Introduction to Soils - Spring 2014 (Student rating 6.60/7) - Spring 2020 (Student rating 6.88/7 )

Teaching assistant

TURF 434, Turfgrass edaphology - Fall 2021

TURF 235, The Turfgrass - Fall 2012


External funding

2020

2012-2013


Presentations

Technical presentations:

2023

  • Performance of baseball infield soil mixtures using novel laboratory tests. PhD dissertation defense, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Penn State University (University Park, PA). February 15.

2022

  • Rational mix design for baseball infield soils. ASA, CSSA and SSSA Annual Meetings (Baltimore, MD). November 8. [Recording link]

  • Design and performance of soil mixtures used on baseball infields. Penn State Department of Ecosystem Science and Management Seminar (University Park, PA). April 25.

2021

  • A new laboratory method for measuring surface disruption of baseball infield soils. ASA, CSSA and SSSA Annual Meetings (Salt Lake City, UT). November 9. [Recording link]

2020

  • Effect of oversize particles on Atterberg limits of engineered soil mixtures for baseball and softball infields. ASA, CSSA and SSSA Annual Meetings (Virtual). November 9. [Recording link]

2017

  • Divot Resistance of Thick Cut Sod as Influenced by Preharvest Nitrogen and Sand Topdressing. 13th International Turfgrass Society meeting: New Brunswick, NJ. July 18.

2014

  • The effects of pre-harvest cultural practices on the divot resistance of thick-cut Kentucky bluegrass sod. Master of Science thesis defense. Presented in partial fulfillment for a Master of Science degree in Agronomy: Penn State University, University Park, PA. December 13. 2017

  • Divot resistance of thick-cut sod as influenced by pre-harvest cultural practices. ASA, CSSA and SSSA Annual Meetings: Long Beach, CA. November 4.

  • Turf with an Attitude: Sod Production for American Football Fields. Plant Science departmental seminar: Penn State University, University Park, PA. April 18.

2012

  • Temporal controls of tufa deposition, southwestern Wisconsin. Undergraduate thesis defense. Presented in partial fulfillment for a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology: Beloit College, Beloit, WI April 26.

  • Using water to study rocks: temporal controls of tufa deposition, southwestern Wisconsin. 36th Annual undergraduate research symposium: Beloit College, Beloit WI. April 12.

Extension/outreach presentations:

2023

  • Infield soil performance: measuring and achieving the cleat-in/cleat-out effect. Carolina Sports Field Managers Association Annual Conference: Myrtle Beach, SC. November 14.

  • New lab tests for infield soils. Mid-Atlantic Sports Field Managers Association Spring Education event: Laurel Park Racetrack, Laurel Run, MD. March 2.

  • Infield skin construction and renovation. Mid-Atlantic Sports Field Managers Association Spring Education event: Laurel Park Racetrack, Laurel Run, MD. March 2.

2022

  • High-performance infield soils. Major League Baseball Grounds Managers Symposium: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO. November 29.

  • Soil science on the infield. Penn State Landscape & Ornamentals Field Day: Medlar Field, University Park, PA. July 29.

  • Infield maintenance and materials. Keystone Athletic Field Managers Organization Field Day: White Township, Indiana, PA. June 22.

  • The Performance of Infield Soils - From Materials Selection to Proper Maintenance. Keystone Athletic Field Managers Organization: East Earl, PA. February 18.

  • Novel lab tests for baseball and softball infield mixes. Sports Field Management Association: Savannah, GA. January 18.

2021

  • Infield skin maintenance. Keystone Athletic Field Managers Organization Field Day: Reading, PA. September 16.

2020

  • Maximizing the performance of sports turf with plant growth regulators. PA Turf and Ornamentals School: Grantville, PA January 27.

2016

  • Developing performance standards for athletic turf. Georgia Sports Turf Managers Association Field Day: Precision Turf Farms, Braselton, GA. July 20.

Guest lectures and invited presentations:

2023

  • Soil compaction and plasticity tests. SOILS 402 guest lecture (Prof. Ekaterina Bazilevskaya). Feb. 22.

2022

  • Infield materials, construction, and maintenance. TURF 436W guest lecture (Prof. Pete Landschoot). April 26.

2021

  • Infield skin construction and maintenance. TURF 434 guest lecture (Prof. Andy McNitt). Nov. 3.

  • Dissecting infield playability. FieldTurf sponsored webinar. April 7.

2020

  • Penn State turfgrass science alumni panel. Live stream via Penn State College of Agricultural Science. Oct. 22.

  • Engineered soils Q & A. Live YouTube broadcast by Beacon Athletics and DuraEdge Products. May 5. Recording available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW4q4CZ1v-c

  • Snacks, soil, and surface area. SOILS 071 (Environmental Sustainability) guest lecture: Penn State University. January 21.

  • History of the STMA and baseball field dimensions. Penn State STMA Student Challenge training: University Park, PA. January 13.

2019

  • Soil physical properties for athletic fields. Penn State STMA Student Challenge training: University Park, PA. November 4.

2017

  • What’s grad school all about? Beloit Collge Advising Day: Beloit, WI. March 24.

  • Student-athlete alumni panel. Beloit Collge Advising Day: Beloit, WI. March 24.

Podcast interviews

2024

2022

2021


Skills and Expertise


Honors and Scholarships


Industry service

Professional Memberships


Personal interests


  1. Franchise name later changed to Gwinnett Stripers↩︎