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04/20/2017 12:00 AMNick Kraszewski turned in an All-Conference, All-State, and All-Area campaign by batting .545 with 22 RBI as a junior for East Haven baseball team last spring. On top of that, he was also named the Yellowjackets’ Most Valuable Player. Now, Nick is looking to have a stellar senior season, and he’s off to a pretty great start as Nick went 5-for-7, including a three-run homer, with six RBI in the first week of play for the Easties.
“Last year was his coming-out party. He crushed the ball,” Head Coach Butch Johnson says. “This year, he’s gotten a little stronger, and he’s picked up where he left off from last year.”
Producing at the plate is nothing new for Nick, who’s always put up quality offensive stats. However, the numbers that Nick put up last season marked a dramatic improvement from years past.
“Last year was different. It was special because I was locked in on everything and seeing the ball like it was a beach ball. I was seeing it perfectly last year and I was able to do what I needed for the team to be successful and win,” says Nick. “Last year, I focused on making a name for myself to prove that I can be a successful varsity player. Hitting fourth, I had to drive people in, so I spent long hours taking a lot of swings and getting my reps in to make sure everything was perfect.”
Nick has played first base for as long as he can remember. His sizable stature helps him effectively man the bag, and Nick really enjoys that he’s a part of almost every play.
“I’ve always preferred first base. You’re very connected. My pitcher Nick Guarino and I are always connected when somebody is on base, and I’m always involved in the game. The ball is always somewhat coming to me or it’s going to end up in my hands,” Nick says. “I prefer that over any other position because it’s my craft that I’ve been working on my whole life.”
Nick was named one of East Haven’s captains prior to this season. It’s a role that Nick doesn’t take lightly after what he learned from East Haven’s previous captains.
“When I found out I was going to be a captain, I was excited because I knew I’d be able to lead a successful and skilled team. Being a captain was an opportunity for me to help others on the team with their hitting, fielding, and mentality, which is something I learned from last year’s captain Steve Cochrane,” says Nick, who adds that his predecessor at first base, the late Michael DeAngelo, was also one of his biggest influences. “This is a great opportunity to lead others and show them the right work ethic. I want to make it a good time for my teammates because we want to have fun. I always find a way to get involved with my teammates, and the captain’s role gives me a better opportunity to do that.”
Nick is also one of East Haven’s starting pitchers when he isn’t playing first base. Starting on the mound is a newer endeavor for Nick, but he’s developed a solid four-pitch arsenal that includes a four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, a curveball, plus a split-finger.
“I focused in on pitching because I realized how much movement and speed my ball has. It’s an opportunity to help me to play college baseball,” says Nick. “I’ve focused on my mechanics over the last two years. I focus more on my curve because I feel comfortable with it. It’s very comfortable as an out pitch because of the confidence I have with it.”
Nick hopes to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level. Right now, he’s looking at the possibility of playing at Eastern Connecticut State University when his time with East Haven comes to an end.
“I’ve been talking to the coach and players on the team. Steve Cochrane goes there and he was a big part of my baseball career as I played Little League with him and he helped mold me into the person and player I am today,” Nick says. “Eastern would be an easy choice for me and I would love to play baseball in college and continue my career as long as I could.”