by Vinny Messana, Editor
It was only a couple months ago that Anthony Kay set the Long Island baseball community ablaze by getting selected by the New York Mets in the first round of the MLB Draft.
The ink has barely dried on the contract, and already there’s buzz regarding another great southpaw from Long Island.
It’s time to get familiar with Andrew Misiaszek–Southside ’15 grad and current LHP for Northeastern University.
The southpaw played a major role in the Huskies’ 31-win season. He fired 52.0 innings as a freshman, allowing only 45 hits while striking out 53 batters. He won five games and figures to be in the weekend rotation next season.
Additionally, there’s a strong chance he will be playing in the prestigious Cape Cod league against the best college players in the country. If he performs well, he figures to be on the draft radar of every MLB team come 2018.
I had a chance to speak with him, and here’s what he had to say…
Has it felt like you’ve made a good decision so far choosing Northeastern University?
Definitely. The school itself is great, being one of the few schools in the country with a co-op program which helps students get extra work experience before graduating. The campus is right in the middle of Boston–about a ten minute walk from Fenway Park so I can’t complain about that. In terms of baseball, definitely have made the right choice so far. The coaches are great, the guys are awesome to be around and I’ve gotten an opportunity to be a big part of the team already as a freshmen.
What was your biggest thrill this year?
The biggest thrill had to be my first outing of the season which was opening weekend against Oklahoma. I came in relief in Game 2 and being in front of thousands of fans like that was an unforgettable experience.
What was the biggest challenge in your freshman year?
The biggest challenge for me was keeping my body strong in season. With all of the travel and not as much time to lift, it’s tough keeping your body the same as it was opening weekend. Definitely something I’ll fix next season.
Is the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) as good as advertised?
I’d say if anything it’s better than advertised. It seems like pretty much every team can go win a weekend series against anyone else, any weekend. The competition is great and having two teams in the regional this year really helps the conference in terms of reputation.
Who are your biggest influences in your career?
My parents, of course. Without all of their support and putting the time and money in to having me play travel ball every summer. Also, Hector Duprey, my pitching coach growing up, who has not only had an influence on me baseball wise but also has contributed greatly to the mental aspect of my game and has made me grow as a player.
What are your goals for 2017?
Definitely to try and get a weekend starting spot this year and be able to compete for the team every weekend. And, of course, to go out and win a CAA Championship.
