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06/09/2016 12:00 AMAndrew Fitzgerald left it all on the diamond in his final season with the Hand baseball team by taking on some new roles and seeing resounding results.
Andrew’s primary position was shortstop, although he also served as the Tigers’ closer, while moving up to the leadoff spot in their lineup. Andrew cracked the lumber to the tune of a .397 batting average with a .474 on-base percentage and 10 stolen bases to help Hand win its third-straight SCC Hammonasset Division crown.
“In the past, I was usually the No. 3 or 4 hitter, but with batting leadoff this year, my approach changed,” says Andrew. “Being the leadoff guy, I always looked for that first-pitch fastball and our assistant coach Nick Merullo helped me learn how to hit the curveball and I ended up hitting a lot of singles off the curve.”
Whether he was providing a spark at the plate or shutting the door from the rubber, Andrew always brought the heat and did so with both a smile on his face and ice water in his veins.
“Early on, I figured out that the way we played the game was based off of what I did in my at-bats because, when you get that leadoff hit, it gets the team’s energy up. I didn’t feel pressure and I liked it, actually,” says Andrew on leading off. “I also like closing a lot. I liked coming into the game later and throwing a little harder and trying to get those last three [to] six outs.”
Tigers’ Head Coach Travis LaPointe appreciates the tremendous skillset and exemplary leadership that Andrew brought to his club. LaPointe feels that the only downside to coaching someone like Andrew is watching him leave the program.
“Andrew was as important as any player on our team this season and was the most versatile guy that we had. I believe he is as good as any player in the state when he harnesses his ability. Andrew also emerged has a leader of the team, which catapulted us and allowed us to play with even better energy, focus, and intensity,” says LaPointe. “Andrew is a charismatic young man who is going to go on to do incredible things after he leaves [Daniel Hand High School]. He is not going to be an easy guy to replace and will be sorely missed by all of his teammates and coaches.”
As Andrew was playing alongside a younger group of athletes this spring, he realized that he needed to speak his mind in order to guide them. However, Andrew also let his actions do the talking, specifically with a pair of pivotal performances.
“I felt being a team leader was more important this year versus others because we had six sophomores getting some major playing time. About halfway through the year, I thought I needed to give that vocal motivation to them and try to set a good example,” Andrew says. “In our first game against Guilford [a 4-3 win on April 13], I was 4-for-6 and just tried to get everyone’s energy up versus their best pitcher. Against Fairfield Prep, [a 7-5 loss on May 16] I was 3-for-3 that day and we got it to 7-5 after we were down 7-1.”
Now looking ahead to Division I Pace University in New York—where Andrew will major in business with an aim to start at shortstop—Andrew says he owes all of his success to a Hand baseball program that brings out the best in its athletes.
“I’m trying to become a starter as a freshman at Pace, but I just want to help the team in any way I can,” says Andrew, who thanks Merullo, along with his parents, Jean and Tim. “Hand baseball has meant a lot to me. It was a great environment with some great coaching. They teach you how to play the game the right way. I can’t say enough good things about them.”