Every year there are players who take their game to another level and and put the hype machine into overdrive mode. Mike Demarest, who entered the season No. 60 on the preseason Blue Chip Prospects ranking, put East Islip on his back and carried them right to the finish line where they were finally defeated by Ward Melville.
He won nine games for the Red Men, and nearly carried them over Ward Melville in their season’s final game but was outlasted 1-0.
Overall, he threw an incredible seven scoreless outings, six were complete game shutouts. The highlight of the season was the 1-0 victory over Carl Yastrzemski Award winner Nick Fanti in which he threw eight shutout innings.
I had the chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say about that game and his hopes for 2016 at Adelphi.
Does anyone in your family have an athletic background?
I actually don’t come from an athletic family at all, which is why I think it’s crazy that my dad is the one who taught me how to pitch. He just watched YouTube videos and read books and really helped me without any experience of his own.
Who has been your biggest influences in your baseball career?
Some of my biggest influences during my baseball career would definitely be my dad, but also Chris Clehane, who was my summer coach for 4 years. He taught me how to have fun while playing the game. Also, Sal Ciampi, my high school coach at East Islip had a huge impact on me. He taught me to get it right the first time and to not wait for any do-overs. He taught me how to win.
You had a breakout season in 2015, talk about it a little and specifically the classic playoff match up against Fanti…
The 2015 high school season was definitely the most fun that I’ve ever had on a baseball field. I know that I had a great season, and that was obviously a goal of mine. But also, just the way that our whole team came together and played way over our talent level to prove so many people wrong is something that I’ll never forget. Going into the Hauppauge game in the quarterfinals, we obviously knew that Nick was going to be on the mound for them. I had just pitched a complete game against Bay Shore 3 days prior, but Coach Ciampi and I agreed that there was no way I wasn’t pitching. I told my team that if we get one run off of Nick, I promise that we will win. It took 8 innings, but we got that run from my bestfriend, Tyler Clehane’s home run. I honestly did not think we would get it but I had to keep my promise. I think that Nick out pitched me that day, no question. Our team as a whole though, just wanted that game more. That’s a day that I will always remember.
What are your goals for 2016 with Adelphi?
My goal for 2016 is the same as it has always been, and that’s to win. Even as a freshman, I feel the pain that this team at Adelphi has gone through the last couple years of not winning. We all understand our goal this year, and that’s an NE-10 championship. Whether it’s one inning out of the pen, or as a starter, my goal is to help this team win no matter what.
Why did you choose to attend Adelphi?
I chose to attend Adelphi because I knew it was the best fit for me. Between the coaches here, the returning players and our incoming freshmen, I knew that I would be entering a winning atmosphere. I love playing along side baseball players, not just college kids that are good at baseball. I knew I would have that if I came here. My ultimate goal is also to be a high school teacher, and this school has a very good teachers’ program. I’m glad that I chose Adelphi.
Click here to view a video of Demarest pitching and the scouting report on him!
