This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
07/05/2018 12:00 AMAlec Erskine isn’t even halfway through his high-school baseball career, but he’s already developing into one of the more versatile baseball players in the area. Alec, who earned the nod as Haddam-Killingworth’s starting catcher as a freshman this spring, is now enjoying an excellent start to his summer season with the Shoreline Cougars’ baseball team.
Alec has been getting it done both on the mound and at the dish for the Cougars, an AAU team that plays in the 18-U East Shore Travel League. Thus far this summer, Alec has a batting average of .428 to go with an ERA of 0.72 ERA for Head Coach Dennis Annicelli’s club. Annicelli says that Alec’s early success comes as little surprise, because Alec has all the attributes of a well-rounded ballplayer.
“I first started coaching Alec last year. He was 14 playing with 18 year-old players. The first game, I could tell Alec was going to be a very special player,” Annicelli says. “As a hitter, he faced pitchers that were signed to play college and batted .298. As a pitcher, he never gave in and always found a way to get guys out. He brings a bulldog mentality to the baseball field every single day. When coaching Alec, you feel as if you are coaching an 18-year-old kid based on the way he carries himself both on and off the field.”
Alec says that he’s received plenty of guidance and support from his family as he’s grown up around the ballfield. While it can be a daunting task for anyone to compete against older athletes, Alec feels that the challenge has made him step up his game.
“My dad [Scott] has coached me for most of my life and had me focus on all aspects of the game. My brother [Sam] and I also grew up playing in the yard,” says Alec. “Since I was 10 or 11, I’ve always played up a year, so I’ve always felt as an underdog. So, I always just go for it out there.”
As a pitcher, Alec has spent plenty of time tinkering his off-speed stuff in order to finish off hitters. When it comes time to step into batter’s box, Alec does so with a fearless mentality, because he believes that he can put any ball in play.
“My favorite pitch is my changeup. I’ve worked a lot on it to master it. I like to throw it when I’m ahead in the count,” Alec says. “As a hitter, you have to be strong in your arms and legs. Mentally, you have to go up there every time knowing you’ll get a hit and have full confidence in your abilities.”
Alec adds that his confidence on the diamond took a big spike as he got closer to starting high school. Alec thinks his self-confidence is one of the biggest reasons why he was able to have such a great debut campaign at H-K.
“My confidence as an athlete has grown a lot over the last few years,” he says. “I didn’t have high confidence in myself during middle school, but it grew a lot after 7th grade or so.”
The Shoreline Cougars have jumped out to a solid start this summer. Alec feels optimistic that the club has both the talent and determination it needs to chase down its major playoff aspirations.
“We look good right now as a team,” says Alec. “We’ve lost a few seniors from last year, but the underclassmen are contributing. We’re all coming together and want to win it all.”