by Andres Rivas
For Bellport to finish with a share of the league title for the first time in 51 years, it took a complete effort.
While the pitching staff was led by three experienced starters in Sacred Heart-commit Joe Greco, Southern New Hampshire-commit Ryan Baumann and talented junior LHP Anthony Jacabacci, the team was looking for a player to step up and win the starting catching position.
Enter Trevor Virno.
A natural shortstop, Virno was asked to go behind the plate and corral a pitching staff that was expected to be very talented.
Behind the plate he had 22 assists and threw out six runners. He finished the season with a hit in eight of his last twenty at bats (.400). Additionally, he logged some innings on the mound and compiled a 2.76 ERA over 12.2 IP.
Following this season he announced his verbal commitment to Div-III Muhlenberg College–who is coming off a season with a record of 16-21.
He spoke with Andres Rivas and here’s what he had to say…
How did it feel to be league champions for the first time in 51 years?
With it being my first year on varsity, I expected nothing less than winning a championship with the quality team that we had and with the talent that surrounded our core seniors. It’s always great to win championships, hopefully we’ll be able to win some more games going forward and put some more banners on the wall, as we only lost four of our starting seniors.
You’re not a natural catcher, but you were asked to play that position this year. What were you feeling knowing you’d have an important job like being behind home plate?
Personally I’ll do anything that it takes for the team to win, whether it’s me playing the outfield, infield, or behind home plate. Whatever it takes to get the team to the team to succeed I’ll find a way to excel at that position. I started catching two weeks before the season and within five game I felt like catching was my natural position.
What does Bellport need this year to advance further in the postseason?
We need our pitching to step up and our hitting to be as strong as it was last year. We are a very good team overall and we don’t have one standout weakness; hopefully our upper classmen will carry us far this year.
Any pre-game rituals that have helped you?
I always need the foul line when I go to catch, I don’t think I’ve ever won a game of baseball where I didn’t have the foul line, as a team last year before every single school game, we would have one player step on the line and that would provide us good luck for the game.
Who has had the deepest influences for you in your life as a player and a person?
My dad has had the biggest influence in my life, first and foremost and later all the other coaches. My dad has taught me all the fundamentals ever since I was a kid. When I was thirteen, he sent me off to play with coach Joe Salanitri. He developed me into a much stronger player overall, greatly improving my hitting. Those two single-handedly made me the ball player I am today and I’m very grateful for them. My mom taught me the importance of being a responsible student and able to balance academics and athletics.
Who was your favorite player growing up and your favorite player now?
Mickey Mantle always has and always will. My favorite current player is Manny Machado because of his work ethic, his ability with the glove that complements his bat and he’s well respected around the league.
What’s brought you to commit to Muhlenberg?
The school itself was an ideal fit. I intend to study pre-med, which Muhlenberg has a very strong program in. I believe I can succeed playing in the Centenntial conference. My entire family believed it’s the right choice; it’s close to home and my family can continue to see me play the game they taught me when I was younger.
