Sports

SP-F Baseball Stars Sign on for College Play

Joe D'Annunzio and Lou Mazzella signed their letters of intent at the high school on Monday.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood outfielder Joe D’Annunzio and catcher Lou Mazzella made it official Monday afternoon.

The two signed National Letters of Intent to play college baseball — D'Annunzio at Rutgers University and Mazzella at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, N.Y.

The seniors were joined in the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High media room on Monday by head coach Tom Baylock, Superintendent of Schools Margaret Hayes, athletic director Rob Harmer and their parents.

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Both were both instrumental in the Raiders’ winning last spring’s Union County Tournament. D’Annunzio batted .494, stole 20 bases, drove in 30 runs and hit five homers. Mazzella hit .412 as the Raiders finished a memorable 22-5.
The college he will be attending, Molloy, is a Division 2 school in Long Island.

“I visited it a couple of weeks ago and I really liked it, it was a place for me, the opportunity presented it and I want to take advantage of it,’’ said Mazzella, who was joined by mom, Michele, and father, Lou. “It’s more of a physical nursing school. It’s known for its medical. I think I want to be a physical therapist or a teacher. Maybe I can come back here.’’

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Rutgers coach Fred Hill called D’Annunzio July 1 and informed them of his program’s interest in him. He was accompanied by his father Joe Sr., mom Michele, and youth coach, Pete Alborano at Monday's signing. D'Annunzio said that his family has known Hill since he was 8 years old attending the coach's camps.

“I took a couple of weeks to decide," D'Annunzio said. "It was very early, end of July they offered me the scholarship, took a couple of weeks to think about it, I tried to wait as long as I could, thinking about all the other options. Rutgers definitely is the school for me. It fits all the characteristics I need.’’

D’Annunzio, who just finished a long soccer season, said he will begin baseball training November 29.

“From there it’s all game, train five days a week, hard and get ready for the baseball season," D’Annunzio said. “Coming back as county champs is a large thing. Hopefully we have younger guys who can fill the roles of the graduated guys so we can get back on top.’’


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