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\n<\/i><\/b><\/span>One of the aspects that sets apart a Division-III college from another is their ability to snag the Division-I caliber players that–for whatever reason–have opted to switch schools. That has been a staple of Farmingdale State<\/b> over the years. They have been able to gather a bevy of players that fit the profile of a Division-I athlete but wind up in the Skyline Conference.\u00a0<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Well, St. Joseph’s<\/b> was able to grab a player that fit the bill last year in Nick Girardi<\/b>, who transferred from Manhattan<\/b> College. He ended up lighting up the conference to the tune of a .383 AVG and .455 OBP–numbers that earned him Player of the Conference.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Just recently, they were able to snag lefty pitcher Nick Clemente<\/b> from the College of St. Rose<\/b>, who previously played for the University of Rhode Island<\/b>.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>They will hope that he has the same type of impact on the division that Girardi had last season.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>I had an opportunity to speak with him and here’s what he had to say…<\/span>
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\nYou were a two-sport athlete in high school; baseball and basketball. \u00a0What made you decide to play baseball in college instead of basketball? Do you often wonder if you made the right choice?\u00a0<\/i><\/b>
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\n<\/span>Playing baseball and basketball in high school was a surreal experience. I had the opportunity to play five years of high school basketball due to playing in 8th grade as well, and some of my best high school memories remain on that court. As time progressed and senior year came around I knew I had to make a decision. \u00a0I ended up choosing baseball because I had the opportunity to play at a D-1 program and there is no better feeling then being on the mound: it’s just you and the batter and all eyes are on you. \u00a0I live for that feeling and with that being said I believe I made the right choice.<\/span>
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\n<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/a>You played for perennial Long Island baseball powerhouse Pat-Med. \u00a0What was that experience like?<\/i><\/b><\/span>
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\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Playing for a powerhouse like Patchogue Medford under Coach Frascogna was incredible. Growing up I had athletes who I aspired to become one day. Whether it was the Phelan<\/b> brothers, Marcus Stroman<\/b> or a good friend of mine, Matt Vogel<\/b>, I always looked up to all of them and knew that I had to work three times as hard to be an important player in the program. Patchogue Medford baseball has a winning attitude and with all of the success in recent years if you don’t make the playoffs it makes everyone turn their heads. \u00a0I looked at that as motivation because it made the entire team push each other because we knew what we had to do to keep Patchogue Medford as a powerhouse.<\/span>
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\n<\/i><\/b><\/span>So in the matter of a few years, you have gone from high school senior at Pat Med, to University of Rhode Island (D1) commit, to Saint Rose College (D2), to St Joseph’s College (D3). There are players who transfer from school to school, but none that I can think of that went from D-1 to D-2 to D-3. \u00a0Can you please explain the how and why of your college journey so far?<\/i><\/b><\/span>
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\n<\/span>The process I have taken up until now has been exciting to say the least. I committed and signed my national letter of intent to the University of Rhode Island going into my senior year and as time progressed I found out that the whole coaching staff along with players I knew were leaving the school. I found that odd so I looked into it and there were rumors that the school was losing their program. From there I committed to Saint Rose, a D-2 school in Albany that participates in the NE-10 conference. I had a good experience there and lived with a bunch of good friends, but I decided to come back closer to home due to family reasons. \u00a0I will now continue my education and collegiate athletic career at Saint Joes and am eager to continue my journey there.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>The St Joseph’s baseball team made some noise this past season and looks to be among the favorites for the conference this year. \u00a0A lot of that has to do with the pitching staff. \u00a0Notable returning pitchers are Player of the Year Nick Girardi, Josh Outsen, and Ryan Aloise. \u00a0How do you feel about your chances to crack the rotation? How do you feel about coming out of the bullpen? How do you feel about playing with and competing with such a talented staff?<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n