Wade Kelly launches a 2-run shot to LF to provide Massapequa with a 6-spot in the top half of the first. pic.twitter.com/7vevLBU1Za
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 22, 2018
One of the main ingredients to Massapequa’s latest dynasty has been a potent offense–specially at the top. This season was no difference as players like Wade Kelly, Nick Schwartz and Travis Honeyman perpetually were on base and came around to score to put the Chiefs up early in games.
Kelly, a lightning quick outfielder was a huge impact player in 2019 and he figures to be once again in his senior season. He was in the news last week after committing to 2016 College World Series Champion Coastal Carolina.
I had a chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say…
Can you explain your experience with the college recruiting experience and how you made your decision?
The main thing for me was wanting to play down south. The difficulty in that was that none of the coaches would come to watch during the high school season or even the summer in NY. So it meant traveling a lot and having to make a new name for myself outside of my region. But the goo side to the traveling was that I got to see a lot of different schools and realized that was where I wanted to play.
Who are your favorite athletes and why?
Bryce Harper because of the way that he plays the game with enthusiasm and also Yadier Molina because he gives me someone to look at to model for defense behind the plate.
Who are your biggest role models in life and why?
My dad because he was the one that taught me how to play since I was little and has been a part of all the extra work in the cages and on the field. I have also been lucky to have great coaches over the years. Jim Orlando from the Ducks has helped me the past two years in growing as a person on-and-off the field and as a player. Also, Joe Reda from the Massapequa Redmen was the one who gave me the first introduction with Coastal Carolina and helped me to maintain a relationship with the coaches the last couple of years.
Can you tell our audience about that Long Island Championship game, the mood in the dugout when you went down early and how exciting it was to hold off Connetquot’s comeback?
The coaches were saying the whole game that winners always come back and to never get too high or too low no matter what the score was at what point. After we started to rally back, we all started to gain confidence and started knowing we would win.
What are your goals for 2020?
The goal is to get back to States and come home with a second ring this year. We have a strong team with many players returning that are hungry after the tough loss in the semis.
What’s your favorite app on your phone?
Snapchat
Who are your favorite musical artists?
Florida Georgia Line
