Nicolas Messina '17 Recruiting Profile

Baseball has been a big part of my life since I was very young.  When I was about 7, we moved to a new town.  During the 9U season the following spring, I didn’t make the cuts for the All-Star Team.  Over the next winter I worked extremely hard on all aspects of my game and I made the 10U All-Star Team and earned a role as a starter.  It was then when I learned the value of hard work, setting goals, and dedication to achieving those goals.  That 10U season we lost in the state championship playoffs, and it left me hungry for more.  We set some new goals and I trained hard all winter.  At the beginning of the 11U All-Star season while practicing for the state qualifiers, I got sick.  My appendix burst and I was rushed to the hospital where I spent 17 days and endured 3 surgeries.  That time in my life defines me.  It is what I think about about when I feel like I can't go anymore.  But I remember the pain I was in during my recovery and I made a promise to myself to use my experience to push me in ways I didn’t even think were possible.  Adversity became my motivator. To this day, it drives me.  I understand how important every moment is.  I know that every opportunity is a chance for me to be the best I can be, in baseball and in life.

I have always played in an older division and was use to the competition.  I knew after my first Modified Baseball season for school in 7^th grade that it wasn’t enough, I wanted more.  So, in 8^th grade, I tried out for, made, and earned a starting position on the JV squad for New Paltz High School.  As a freshman, I became the starting catcher for the High School Varsity Team.  As a junior, we were a major contender in our league.  We earned a spot in league playoffs and went on to play in Sectionals where we lost in a tight couple of games.  Over the summer, I had an opportunity to pitch and play with the Newburgh Knights in a very competitive 18U league with and against many who are already playing at the collegiate level.  We won a lot of games, clinched the league championship and won several tournaments in and out-of-state.  I had a tremendous summer season and was a major contributor to the team.  I threw three complete games in my final 3 outings of the summer season.  My success led me to hit the gym with even more drive and determination to see just how much farther I can go.

My short-term goal is to win the league and sectionals in my senior year for my Coach, for me and my teammates…it would be the culmination and ultimate reward for all my hard work and sacrifice.  I want to win, I want to contribute, I want to compete,  and I want the ball!!!  Using the past as my stepping stone, my long-term goals are to continue to train, harder than ever and to eventually land in a baseball program that will bring out the best of me on and off the field.