HAVERHILL – Indirectly, the torch has been passed.
About a dozen two-time World Series experienced student-athletes move on to four-year colleges, several at Div. 1 schools, and another dozen-plus are ready to be in Haverhill in late August to replace them.
Northern Essex Community College coach Jeff Mejia, two weeks after the school’s fifth straight NJCAA Div. 3 World Series, is the one saying hello and good-bye.
All of the graduating sophomores will move on to four-year schools to not only get their degrees, but continue their baseball careers.
And more than that have signed the dotted line and committed to attend NECC beginning in the fall.
Kade Masselli, of New Gloucester, Me., recently committed to UMass Boston, which over the last decade has been a top three program in the Little East Conference.
Masselli had a few nibbles from some Div. 3 schools in Maine, opting instead to try and open the door to other programs in New England.
“Personally, I wanted to leave Maine and Northern Essex (C.C.) offered me the chance to reach for other schools, including UMass Boston,” said Masselli, an infielder who hit .330 this spring. “I didn’t really understand the commitment. I thought I’d go to school and play baseball. It’s more than that. Baseball was a full-time job. It definitely changed my outlook on the sport.”
UMass Boston’s prominence in New England, a perennial top 10 Div. 3 program was too good to pass up.
“I love Boston and the city,” said Masselli. “I remembered seeing brochures of the school and area. I figured the pictures were better than it really was. But when I visited, it was even better. The school is on the harbor. It’s awesome. And they have a good culture there.”
One semi-local recruit, Anthony Crowell, of Greater Lowell Tech, is 18 and among the dozen-plus new commits ready to try and keep the World Series streak alive.
Crowell is a potential two-way player at NECC, noted for being a left-handed power pitcher (mid-to-high 80s) and power hitter.
About his sophomore year he decided he wanted to take his baseball talents further rather than stick to his trade (HVAC). And by the time he was a senior, the two-time All-CAC first teamer was turning heads.
Crowell, of Dracut, is thinking Div. 1 now, potentially, and UMaine is a target school for him, a school NECC has sent eight players over the last half-dozen years.
“I went to a few games this spring and I noticed how they all played well together, the culture they have,” said Crowell. “It is really good baseball. It’s not going to be easy. But I love the way they play. It’s exciting for me.”
Coach Jeff Mejia said outside of playing in the World Series, this time of year is special for him.
Over the last month, 10 sophomores committed to four-year school. And over that time, another dozen high schools and JUCO transfers committed to NECC.
Masselli leaving and Crowell coming in is part of the deal.
Good players leaving. And good players coming.
“I definitely get a high from seeing most of the guys get what they want, an opportunity to play baseball and get that degree,” said Mejia. “That’s really my job, besides trying to win games. We offer most of them an opportunity to get their academics in a better place and their baseball, too.”