Rock Point is coming off a banner season in 2018 in which they captured their first Suffolk County Class A title under Head Coach Andrew Aschettino. The most interesting story line of this years team, however, might not be the quest for a title defense but the fact that on a team with 13 players, there are only 10 last names.
The 2019 Eagles field a team with three sets of brothers; Trey and Cody Miller, Eric and John Maier as well as Connor and Sean Hamilton. I had a chance to speak with Trey, Eric and Connor about the dynamic of playing with their brother on a varsity baseball team, the impact that Aschettino had on the Rocky Point program prior to retiring as well as a host of other topics.
The Millers
Trey and Cody Miller were born in Louisiana and came here when Trey was 13 for their father’s work. Despite being very happy living on Long Island, Trey admitted the baseball scene down there was something special. Cody, younger by 2 1/2 years was always a gifted athlete.
With the low enrollment for Rocky Point’s baseball team this year, Cody was asked to practice with the varsity team through out the winter workouts.
It came as a thrill for Trey who noted that their relationship is great and they count on one another for everything.
“I see a lot of potential in him,” said Trey, speaking about Cody who plays all around the infield–including catcher for the Eagles.
While he wants his brother to know he can always lend advice to him, he doesn’t try to be overbearing.
“He knows he can come to me for anything but I try to let him figure it out on his own,” he said in regards to learning the speed of the varsity baseball game.
Trey is a talented player himself, and he will continue his playing career at Herkimer Community College in upstate New York. He decided to attend there at the recommendation of Dillon Cassidy and Brian Forbes, two former Rocky Point players who are currently playing there.
In the meantime, he will be focusing on a successful season for the Eagles in 2019.
“My goal is to win states and be the best teammate that I can be.”
The Maiers
John and Eric are fraternal twins. That only begins to describe how close they are.
“We do everything together,” said Eric. “We are so close, we have played together since t-ball, he added. They’re even close on the infield together, as Eric plays 1st base and John plays second base.
After this season, they will both be going to SUNY Buffalo. Since they do not field a baseball team, this will likely be their last season playing baseball. It will have included lots of great memories including the title run last season.
“It was such a cool experience,” he said. “Just being around a great group of guys,” he added. Asked about the impact of Coach Aschettino, he said, “He had a tremendous impact on us. He’s always right there for us. Even this year, he’ll let us into the school for extra hitting, he would do anything for any one of us,” he added.
Eric stated that he will be majoring in Civil Engineering while John will be pursuing a career in business.
Being that they do everything together, it’s only natural that they would compete with one another.
“I’d say we have a pretty joking relationship, but we also have a ton of competition with each other. If I get a single, he’s gotta get a double,” he added.
Baseball was always the No. 1 sport for the boys, who played soccer until age-10, but decided to focus on baseball after that. Eric noted Jacob deGrom and Nolan Arenado as his two favorite MLB players.
With this likely being the last year of his career, he would like to go out with a flourish.
“My goal is to have the lowest ERA I can have, but mainly I want this team to succeed.
The Hamiltons
For Connor Hamilton, last year was about more than just winning.
“It was great to see how hard the coaches work for us, how hard we worked,” he said. “I think we went into the playoffs hoping for a deep playoff run but not necessarily expecting to win. Once we started to win, we felt unstoppable. It was a nice feeling,” he said.
Now a senior, with his freshman brother on the team, this season will be just as exciting.
“We work a lot in the winter, and he was working with us then. I was hoping he would get pulled up, but it’s nice now knowing we will get to play together,” he added.
When you have a brother three years younger than you, it allows you to watch his entire growth as a person and player. Connor is not surprised Sean has done so well.
“He was always advanced for his age. And he works very hard. I did not work nearly as hard at his age that he does. He is truly gifted,” he said.
Connor plays right field, Sean plays shortstop, second base, third base and pitches.
After this season, Connor will be headed up north to SUNY Oneonta and he has an opportunity to tryout for the team. His focus will be on his studies, though, and he plans to major in Adolescent Education for Mathematics.
Connor noted that he has an “incredible relationship” with Sean.
“We do everything together, he’s always been right there next to me.”
Despite this possibly being his final season playing baseball, he remains fully invested for this season.
“I just want to enjoy it, I’d like to be All-League this season, have as much fun as possible and look back on the fond memories,” he added.
