FIRST PERSON STORIES
Cameron Mayer: Why I Chose Tufts
(Editor’s Note: Cameron Mayer is a 6’4 RHP that is a 2019 graduate of Syosset HS. He is one of the top power pitchers on Long Island. He recently committed to Tufts University in Massachusetts. The following words are his own…) The college baseball recruiting process is more than just going to showcases and tournaments. It is an emotional, frustrating process that brought together all aspects of my life in a way that nothing else had. Honestly, the process took a lot out of me and my family and I’m glad it’s over, but I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. In order to have success during this process, the support system you place around yourself is crucial. Having family and friends who encourage you and want nothing but the best for you is key. I was lucky to have...
Louis Stallone: Why I Chose the University of Arkansas
(Editor’s Note: Louis Stallone is a 2020 graduate of St. Anthony’s HS. He is a 6’8″ RHP, and he announced his commitment to the University of Arkansas on Sunday evening. The following words are his own…) With my verbal commitment to the University of Arkansas I am working my way to a lifelong dream of playing in the SEC. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the support and coaching I received from Brooke Richards and Marc Nellist from the Team Elite organization, Joe Francisco, Chris McCoy and Bobby DeMichael. My last two summers were spent entirely in Georgia and Florida playing for Team Elite, one of the top ranked teams in the nation. Playing in the south, surrounded by so much great talent, was the best thing for me. It pushed me to work harder and har...
David Aufiero: Why I Chose Sacred Heart
(Editor’s Note: David Aufiero is one of the top pitchers on the island. The hard-throwing RHP just finished up an outstanding season for the North Shore Vikings in which he went 7-1 with a 1.14 ERA over 49 IP. He allowed only 30 hits and 14 BB while fanning 67 batters which is good for a 0.90 WHIP. He fired 7 CGs and faced 5 All-County pitchers along the way. Among his victories were two complete game shutouts (one one-hitter and a two-hitter). In the postseason, he fired two complete games; against Mepham and Seaford. He did yield more than two runs in any start and he allowed just two successful stolen base attempts in four tries while also picking off two runners from first base. He recently committed to Sacred Heart, where his brother Matt (Chaminade 2017) plays. The following wo...
Stevie Proko: Why I Chose LIU Post
(Editor’s Note: Stevie Proko is a hard-throwing RHP entering his senior year at Locust Valley. Prior to committing to LIU Post this past weekend, he was one of the best remaining available players in the 2019 class. The following words are his own…) From a young age, I have always loved the game of baseball and always had a dream of playing at the next level. On Friday August 17th my family and I agreed that it was the right decision for me to commit to LIU Post. I believe that the recruiting process starts early with getting high grades in high school because I live in a household where my parents couldn’t stress that enough on me. My college recruiting process all started when I sat down with my high school coach John Lonardo, who was the former head coach at SUNY Old W...
Joey Savino: Why I Chose Elon
Final: Connetquot 3, Newfield 0 WP: Joey Savino (2-hit shutout, 5 K) pic.twitter.com/RvAdDSwhUZ — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 14, 2018 (Editor’s Note: Joey Savino was voted Axcess League 2 MVP by our audience following his junior season in which he anchored the Connetquot T-Birds rotation and went 6-1 with a 0.67 ERA. He was outstanding when it mattered the most, firing a CG shutout against Newfield and again against Bay Shore the following week. He dominated at the New York State Games and parlayed that into accepting a scholarship to play for Elon University in North Carolina. The following words are his own…) Man, it all started at the Battle of the Border tournament when coach McGrath first saw me. Ever since then he went to every game I pitched. After the game...
Aidan Tornquist: Why I Chose Fordham University
(Editor’s Note: Aidan is a 2019 CF/LHP graduate of Half Hollow Hills West. He recently announced his verbal commitment to Fordham University. The following words are his own.) On Sunday, March 18, I chose to commit to Fordham University. That frigid morning, I visited Fordham with my travel baseball coach, Pete Kritikos of MVP Beast, and my parents. Coach Kevin Leighton gave me a tour around the campus for an hour-and-a-half and I immediately fell in love with the school. I’ve always found myself looking for a small campus and I found exactly that when I toured Fordham. Coach Leighton went into detail about life as a Fordham student, more specifically as a student-athlete, and the support system offered by the school to foster students with great ambition. Over the past year, I...
Max Nielsen: What I’m Thankful For
UCONN-commit Max Nielsen in to pitch for Motus pic.twitter.com/tBziUcLSt6 — Axcess Baseball (@axcessbaseball) October 13, 2017 (Editor’s Note: Max Nielsen is a 2019 graduate of Ward Melville HS. He committed to UCONN during his sophomore season and he followed that up with a dynamic season for the Patriots. He is among the top LHP in the state. The following words are his own.) Thanksgiving to me is all about thanking all the people that make my life so special and meaningful. I am thankful for all my coaches; they always push me more and more everyday. Some coaches that I am very blessed to have in my life are Matt Marsh, Chris Lemorocco and Lou Petrucci; they had such a big impact on the baseball player that I am now. They all have really pushed me to get better whether it was...
Jason Diaz: What I Am Thankful For
(Editor’s Note: Jason Diaz is a 2019 graduate of Kellenberg HS. He fired a CG shutout of St. John the Baptist to clinch the CHSAA championship earlier this year. He has a fastball that sits 90-91 MPH and tops at 93 MPH. He is committed to the University of Miami. The following words are his own.) Thanksgiving really brings out the positivity in people and it makes me think about what I’m thankful for. To me baseball is the greatest thing on this earth and it’s not even close. What kid growing up didn’t want to throw a ball as hard as they can and what kid didn’t want to hit bombs over the fence? The game of baseball has showed me that success isn’t just given to you and it makes me thankful for when the times are tough because it just encourages me to ov...
Veterans Day: Brandon Stahl On Deciding to Join the Army After Baseball
(Editor’s Note: Brandon Stahl is a 2010 graduate of St. Dominic HS, where he was an Under Armour All-American and three-time All-League selection. He attended Div-I Old Dominion in Virginia before transferring to Adelphi, where he enjoyed a breakout season in 2013 with a .309 AVG and .356 OBP. The following words are his own.) By Brandon Stahl Deciding to join the military was definitely one of the harder decisions I have ever had to make in my life to this point. Many people talk of a “calling” when it comes to this line of work and one day that calling hit me and I never looked back. In my personal opinion, serving and defending this country is one of the most honorable endeavors a person can immerse themselves in and my passion for this has stuck with me since I was a young kid. S...
Will Kennedy: Why I Committed to Hofstra
Editor’s Note: Will Kennedy is a 2019 LHP from Smithtown East. He plays his summer ball with the HDMH Titans. After a terrific summer season in which he went undefeated, he also dominated down in Fort Myers, FL where I watched him throw 4.2 shutout innings with six strikeouts in a victory. He committed to Hofstra University last Friday. The following words are his own.) The recruiting process started for me when Titans recruiting coordinator Tom Downey met with me and my family to go over what I needed to do to prepare for being recruited. He advised to me to figure out a major I was interested in, how far away I was willing to travel for college, and when I should be taking standardized tests. He also outlined how important my GPA would be in getting aid from schools. He was very in...
Chris Cappas Reflects on Successful 2017
(Editor’s Note: Chris Cappas is a 2017 graduate of Kellenberg Memorial HS. He just led the Firebirds to a consecutive CHSAA championship and he was named Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year. He batted .438 with 2 HR, 22 RBI and struck out only once. On the mound, he compiled an ERA of 0.18 with 53 strikeouts in 39 innings. He did not allow a run over his final 25 innings of the season. There was much-speculation that he would be selected in the MLB Draft in June, considering the southpaw’s velocity had touched 90 MPH at times. Although he was not, he is now at the University of Pittsburgh and figures to be a major factor right away. The following words are his own.) Winning the NSCHSAA baseball championship my senior year at Kellenberg is something that I think about alm...
Matt Seelinger on His First Pro Season
(Editor’s Note: Matt is a 2017 graduate of Farmingdale State College. He capped off a stellar career by getting selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 28th round of this year’s MLB Draft, becoming the first player from FSC to get drafted since 1978. He performed incredibly well in pro ball; he compiled a 1.80 ERA over 30.0 IP with 0.87 WHIP and 37 strikeouts. He allowed only 19 hits. The following words are his own.) Coming out of a “D3” school has its challenges to get drafted. Not many players get the opportunity. I certainly heard a few times that it was “near impossible” to get drafted out of a “D3” school. I was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in my senior year at Farmingdale State College. It has been a whirlwind for sure. I graduated in May. At that time, I was not ...
