Congrats on your new commitment! What is it about Benedictine University that excites you the most?
I am excited about the amazing coaching staff, great facilities and a sense of family among the team and coaches.
You have been playing with Top Tier since you were 9 years old. Tell us about your experience and what it means to wear the TT’s.
My experience with Top Tier has been awesome. I was on the first 9u team for Top Tier so I have seen the growth of this organization since 2011. I have had so many great coaches who have shaped me into the hard worker that I am today. I have played on every team from the Americans to the White team. This has taught me to never be complacent and to always look to improve. I have taken to heart the TT motto “Expect Greatness” which I will carry with me as I move forward into college. Wearing the TT has meant a ton to me. Top Tier is basically my second family and I’ve always tried to represent them with respect.
Share one of your favorite Top Tier memories.
I have so many good memories from my 10 years of playing with Top Tier Baseball. It is hard to come up with a favorite but, I still remember when I won my first tournament that I played for Top Tier at 9u. The feeling of that team was unforgettable. Coach Todd Fine, Coach Seth Kenny and Coach Bruce Sanders really pushed us to win and represent Top Tier the right way.
Talk a little bit about the recruiting process and how everything went down.
The recruiting process went by quickly throughout my 17u summer season. I was contacted by Coach Joel Bonnett from Benedictine University shortly after one of the tournaments in June. From there, I went on a college visit and met with Head Coach Adam Smith, Coach Bonnett and Coach Joe Silva. Immediately I had a good feeling about Benedictine and the baseball program. I did visit two other universities but I still felt that Benedictine was the right fit for me. Eventually I made my decision at the end of November and called Coach Smith to tell him I was going to be joining the Benedictine Baseball family.
What were some of the priorities you looked at when deciding where you wanted to commit?
I wanted to attend a smaller school that has a great business program. I also wanted to go somewhere that I could grow into the best baseball player I could be.
What challenges do you see ahead of you before you get to campus?
I need to continue to get stronger and faster. I also need to continue to push myself in the classroom so that I can be ready to become a student-athlete in college.
What are some of the goals you have set for yourself as a college baseball player?
I want to be a starter my freshman year, help Benedictine win a conference championship and ultimately win an NCAA Division III National Championship.
If you could give one piece of advice to all of the younger players coming up, what would it be?
I would tell them to consistently put in the work. Dreams don’t come true overnight so keep pushing yourself and you never know where it will take you.
Is there anybody you would like to give a shout-out or thanks to?
I would like to thank my Dad for always being there for me and teaching me so much about the game of baseball since day one. For all the countless hours that you threw me batting practice and all the grounders you hit to me so that I could get better every day. I would like to thank my Mom and sister for always being supportive and attending hundreds of my games and traveling all over the country with me. I would like to thank all of my coaches including Coach Fine, Coach Kenny, Coach Plante, Coach Phelps, Coach Heaney, Coach Musielak, Coach Gil, Coach Dobrinich, Coach Sallee, Coach Sylvester, Coach Duffy, and Coach Sanders. Lastly, I would also like to thank all my teammates over the past 10 years that have pushed me to get better as we competed for Top Tier Baseball.
