WORCESTER — Though Central Mass. players have benefited Worcester Academy baseball, it could also be said that Worcester Academy has been beneficial for Central Mass. baseball players.
The good relationship between Worcester Academy and Central Mass. on the diamond was confirmed Friday when three Hilltopper baseball players with local ties joined three others in a National Letter of Intent signing ceremony at Worcester Academy’s Walker Gallery.
The local signees were Joe Sacco of Shrewsbury (University of Rhode Island), Pat Gallagher of Worcester (Wagner) and Mariano Ricciardi of West Boylston (Florida Atlantic). The other players who signed letters were Craig Corliss of Hopkinton (Siena), Brendan Powicki of Lynn (Stonehill), and Brendan Conley of Bristol, Rhode Island. (University of Buffalo).
Friday’s signings were basically a continuation of a good thing. Worcester Academy baseball coach James McNamara noted that the program has had 17 Division 1 commitments over the last three years.
“We’ve been really lucky getting such great kids, student-athletes who are very driven in the classroom,” McNamara said. “On the baseball field, they all work very hard. They have great passion and come from great families.”
Sacco, a pitcher who is leaning toward studying economics in college, can vouch for that.
“Having my family here to watch me sign to get ready for the next step in my baseball career is just awesome, as well as being here alongside my teammates,” Sacco said. “I wouldn’t be here signing this letter if it hadn’t been for my family, their support and Worcester Academy. Worcester Academy gave me the opportunity to play baseball. I’ve made great friends and had fun here. But I can’t wait to get to the next level.”
Corliss, a catcher, has been Sacco’s batterymate on more than one occasion. Corliss praised Sacco and added that he’s proud to be a part of a Worcester Academy program that has produced its share of college players. Two of Corliss’ former Worcester Academy teammates are playing baseball as freshmen at Siena.
“We’ll soon have three Worcester Academy players playing at Siena — that’s pretty exciting,” Corliss said. “Worcester Academy has been great. There’s a winning tradition here, we expect a lot out of our teams every year. We’re here to compete.”
“I also want to thank J.P. Ricciardi (Mariano’s dad, who is a special assistant with the New York Mets), who’s been like a father to me, as well as coach McNamara — two of the most important guys in my life,” Corliss added.
Corliss plans on studying economics and hopes to become a stockbroker like his grandfather, who was very successful in that occupation.
“It’s been a good run at Worcester Academy and a great experience signing along with my five teammates and friends,” Mariano Ricciardi said. “And even though we’re here signing for college, we’re excited about our last season at Worcester Academy. We were good last year, and we’re hoping to build on that, and hopefully bring the championship back where it belongs. The tradition here is strong, and the talent influx good. It’s been a lot of fun.”
Ricciardi plays second base and shortstop, but will play wherever he is needed. Ricciardi is undecided on a college major.
“The signing experience has been great, and being here with my teammates makes it all the more memorable,” Gallagher said. “I’m a pitcher, and I can’t wait for college. It’s (Wagner) a beautiful campus and great academic school. And Worcester Academy has been great — I’ve had a lot of fun here and made a lot of friends.”
Gallagher plans on studying elementary education.
Hubbardston’s Christa Moore signed a letter to attend Holy Cross, where she will compete in track and field, while Norton’s Madeline Murphy signed to attend Southern New Hampshire. Murphy plans to play basketball in college.
“I’m super excited to go to Holy Cross — it’s a dream come true,” Moore said. “I do pole vault, hurdles and relays at Worcester Academy. At the collegiate level, I’ll definitely be doing pole vault and maybe relays. It’s a great opportunity for me.
“My time at Worcester Academy has been amazing,” Moore added. “I wasn’t really into track before I came here, but my coach (Tony Johnson) saw the potential in me right away. He saw that I was a gymnast, and he thought I’d be great in pole vault, and now I’m going to college for it.”
Moore expects to major in pre-med and minor in criminal justice.
Area athletes sign on dotted line
Many other Central Mass. athletes made their college choices official this week. Here’s a list of athletes that have or will have signed National Letters of Intent this period, as reported by area coaches and athletic directors
NAMESCHOOLSPORTCOLLEGE
P.J. Barry
St. Peter-Marian
Baseball
St. Leo’s
Chris Brouwer
Northbridge
Baseball
Siena
Cam O’Toole
Grafton
Baseball
Southern Connecticut
Craig Corliss
Worcester Academy
Baseball
Siena
Joe Sacco
Worcester Academy
Baseball
University of Rhode Island
Mariano Ricciardi
Worcester Academy
Baseball
Florida Atlantic
Brendan Powicki
Worcester Academy
Baseball
Stonehill College
Brendan Conley
Worcester Academy
Baseball
University of Buffalo
Josh Tower
Auburn
Baseball
Franklin Pierce
Dillon Zona
Shrewsbury
Baseball
Assumption
Makai Ashton-Langford
Brewster Academy (SPM)
Basketball
Connecticut
Hannah Everidge
Wachusett
Basketball
Franklin Pierce
Madeline Murphy
Worcester Academy
Basketball
Southern New Hampshire
Jordan Manuel
Murdock
Cross-country
UMass-Lowell
Gianna Mastromatteo
St. Peter-Marian
Cross-country
Marist
Kailyn Myshrall
Notre Dame Academy
Field hockey
Vermont
Abigail Potvin
Notre Dame Academy
Field hockey
Stonehill
Emily McNulty
Maynard
Field hockey
Merrimack
Alec Lindstrom
Shepherd Hill
Football
Boston College
Nicole Biondi
North Middlesex
Gymnastics
Illinois
Jake Zablocki
Shepherd Hill
Lacrosse
UMass-Lowell
Ryan Richards
Nipmuc
Lacrosse
St. Anselm
Brandon Lefebvre
Nipmuc
Lacrosse
Mary Washingtion
Ali Collins
Hopedale
Lacrosse
Merrimack
Kayleigh Wright
Westboro
Lacrosse
Stonehill
Arin Smalls
AMSA
Soccer
Bryant
Emily Longo
Westboro
Soccer
Vassar
Deirdre Gallo
St. Peter-Marian
Softball
Georgetown
Meghan Chojnowski
Narragansett
Softball
UMass-Lowell
Christa Moore
Worcester Academy
Track and Field
Holy Cross
