STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — St. Joseph by-the-Sea’s varsity baseball team turned in an exceptional season last spring en route to capturing the CHSAA AA Archdiocesan championship.
Good teams often boast a host of good players and four of the individuals who helped the Vikings reach the summit a year ago have made their college plans official.
A Sea catcher, pitcher, third baseman and outfielder will each compete at the next level beginning in the fall. And, to boot, half of the four will strut their stuff on Division I level.
Only one of those student-athletes will remain in the state to continue their athletic careers.
For a closer look at where these latest signees will attend school, please scroll down.
OFFENSE OR DEFENSE? WHICH SIDE OF THE BALL WILL PR’S KASIEM CROMWELL PLAY AT WAGNER COLLEGE
*****
Gioacchino Bonsangue, Sea
St. Joseph by-the-Sea’s Gioacchino Bonsangue, who recently committed to Lynn University, said he’s yearned to attend the Boca Raton, Fla., school since he was a kid.(Courtesy of AnneMarie Petruzzelli)
St. Joseph by-the-Sea’s Gioacchino Bonsangue was always destined to attend Lynn University.
“I’ve been to Boca Raton for vacations and I have family from New York who live down there,” said the Vikings’ catcher. “I love going down and have wanted to go to Lynn since I was in 8th grade.’’
To boot, Bonsangue competes for Kain at TKR and the latter played for the Division II school during his collegiate days.
“He also told me all about it and contacted them for me‚’’ added Bonsangue, who once played for South Shore Little League. ”And after that, I just instantly fell in love with the place.’’
Not surprisingly, the Pleasant Plains resident recently signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Lynn on a partial academic scholarship.
“It’s a dream come true,’’ said Bonsangue, who will play catcher, first base and designated hitter for the Fighting Knights. ”I have Florida weather, family down there and I’m going to be playing baseball. I definitely like my decision to go there.’’
Bonsangue said a member of Lynn’s coaching staff got a glimpse of him playing for TKR when the travel organization visited Florida and soon after, he got a chance to speak with 25-year head coach Rudy Garbalosa.
“He thinks I’m a middle-of-the-order guy with a power bat,’’ said Bonsangue. ”He believes I’ll bring a lot to the team, including good character.
“They want me to catch, play first and DH and, of course, I’ll do whatever I can to help the team. I do the same thing at Sea — what more can you ask for?’’
Bonsangue said he’ll get the chance to play right away as well.
“That was big to me,’’ he admitted. ”I love it.’’
The 17-year-old Bonsangue is planning to be a double major in business and sports management.
*****
John Gano, Sea
St. Joseph by-the-Sea’s John Gano, who will attend Fairleigh Dickinson University next fall, will get the chance to be a two-way player for the Knights.(Courtesy of AnneMarie Petruzzelli)
Fairleigh Dickinson University’s baseball coaching staff made it clear from the start that it was interested in making St. Joseph by-the-Sea’s John Gano a part of its pitching staff.
Then, by chance, the Knights got to see Gano at the plate and quickly reconsidered how they want to use him.
“They’re going to let me try being a two-way player,’’ he said. ”I think I’m good enough and excited to get the chance.
“It’s like a bonus.’’
Gano recently signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the Division I Northeast Conference school on a full scholarship.
“Playing Division I has been a goal of mine since Great Kills Little League, so it’s a dream come true,’’ said the 17-year-old Gano. ”I always felt I could do it and since the first time I got recruited from a DI program, it gave me confidence I can do it and I am 100% happy with my decision.’’
Gano credited Kain for making FDU aware of his capabilities.
“He knows all the college coaches and he got me in contact with FDU during the summer before my junior year,’’ explained Gano. ”They eventually came to see me pitch for Sea against Cardinal Spellman and I pitched a complete game in which I allowed no earned runs and struck out nine.’’
FDU head coach Manny Roman made it clear the Knights were impressed with Gano’s right arm.
“They think I have a big arm and made me their No. 1 priority who can start right away,’’ said Gano. ”They’re impressed with my fastball, my off-speed stuff, the way I mix my pitches and my overall repertoire.’’
He jumped at the opportunity of getting at-bats as well.
“I really want to do it,’’ the Bay Terrace resident said. ”I think I can, but I’ll obviously do whatever they need me to do to help the team.’’
Gano is undecided on a major, but is considering civil engineering and business.
The three-year varsity player also received offers from Maine and St. Peter’s, as well as interest from Seton Hall, Monmouth and Dominican.
COLLEGE SIGNINGS I: TODT HILL’S BIANCA BUSH WILL CONTINUE TENNIS CAREER
*****
Anthony Molinini, Sea
St. Joseph by-the-Sea third baseman Anthony Molinini will likely play shortstop when he attends Monmouth University beginning next fall.(Courtesy of AnneMarie Petruzzelli)
St. Joseph by-the-Sea third baseman Anthony Molinini signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Monmouth University on a partial athletic, partial academic scholarship.
“It’s really surreal. It feels great to get this opportunity to play,’’ the three-year varsity player said. ”It was important to me to play DI. It’s something I’ve thought about since I was younger and I’m glad to be a part of Monmouth’s program.’’
The 17-year-old Molinini, a former South Shore LL All Star who plays travel ball for TKR, went through the necessary steps to get his name out there during the off-season. He credited Kain and RPP Baseball Director of College Recruiting and Sales Sam Sharf for getting in contact with the Hawks, who compete in the Coastal Athletic Association.
“(The coaching staff) came to see me play with TKR in early June, then the weekend after at the TKR Spring Showcase and they kept in contact with me afterward,’’ Molinini said.
He visited the West Long Branch, N.J., school shortly after and met long-time head coach Dean Ehehalt.
“I liked everything about it,’’ admitted Molinini. ”The campus, the atmosphere, the program and the team.’’
Ehehalt, in his 32nd season with the Hawks, had plenty of good things to say about the fleet-footed Molinini
“He said I would play the left side of the infield and a huge role defensively and on the base paths,’’ said Molinini, who hits at the top of Sea’s lineup. ”It’s a really good feeling knowing all of my hard work has paid off.’’
Molinini is looking forward to playing shortstop for Monmouth. The Rossville resident said it won’t be a problem since he plays the position with TKR.
Molinini, who is planning to major in accounting, also received DI interest from Binghamton, Sacred Heart, Fairfield and George Washington.
Vincent Petruzzelli, Sea
St. Joseph by-the-Sea’s Vincent Petruzzelli recently made his commitment to SUNY-Cortland official.(Courtesy of AnneMarie Petruzzelli)
Vincent Petruzzelli had a good feeling the moment he shook the hand of legendary SUNY-Cortland baseball coach Joe Brown.
“As soon as I shook his hand, I knew I wanted to go there,’’ said the St. Joseph by-the-Sea outfielder. ”He just gave me a good vibe right from the start.“
And, in turn, Petruzzelli recently made his commitment to coach Brown and the Red Dragons official.
Petruzzelli, who competes for TKR, is capable of playing all three outfield positions. He said it wasn’t easy finding a place with the transfer portal giving coaches numerous options to complete their rosters.
But Kain got in contact with Cortland, and after Petruzzelli made a visit to the Division III school, the ball started rolling.
“I had a hard time and I was actually questioning if I was going to play or not,’’ the 17-year-old admitted. ”But, again, everything changed when I met coach Brown. He was friendly. He wasn’t trying to be intimidating. He welcomed me and I thought it was a good fit.
“It’s extremely important to me because I’ve always wanted to play at the next level,’’ he continued. ”I’m excited to be attending one of the top Division 3 programs and playing for coach Brown.’’
The 25-year head coach, who boasts an incredible 916-266-5 record during his tenure, gave the two-year varsity player a ringing endorsement.
“He thinks I can be an impact player with speed and the capability to hit for power or contact,’’ Petruzzelli said. ”He thinks I’m capable of doing both.
“Coming from a college coach with his resume, it made me feel great. He wants me to play for him and that’s a blessing.’’
The Eltingville resident knows nothing is guaranteed, but he believes he’ll have a chance to get playing time right away and is planning to do anything in his power to give himself an opportunity.
Petruzzelli will major in business economics.
The ex-Great Kills Little League alum also received interest from Monmouth and Misericordia.