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06/01/2023 10:56 AMNathan Furino always brought the heat on the mound for the Yellowjackets, but now the alum has assumed a role of a reliable arm as part of the pitching staff at Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU).
The East Haven High School Class of 2019 graduate was a four-year starter for the Yellowjackets’ boys’ basketball and baseball teams–being a squad captain for both. While doubling as a pitcher and shortstop, Nathan was a two-time First-Team All-State athlete, as well as New Haven Register All-Area, SCC All-Division and team MVP, and helped the club to a division title as a junior.
Now at Eastern Connecticut State University, the senior business major and Warriors’ baseball team pitcher has not skipped a beat on the college scene–accumulating 48 strikeouts, permitting only seven walks and 51 hits, and a 3.20 earned-run average in 50.2 innings of work for the 35-12 and Little East Conference-champion Warriors, who also qualified for the NCAA Division III Tournament Regionals.
He additionally earned selection to the NCAA Division III Regional All-Tournament Team–posting a 2-0 record and 1.80 earned-run average (ERA) with only two walks in a staff-high 15 innings. Nathan appeared in two of the team’s three regional games with a win and a 1.08 ERA and no walks in a staff-high 8.1 innings.
“My coaches helped me out a lot, along with going to practice every day and working on new things,” says Nathan. “The biggest adjustments to college made me realize the smaller details that matter, such as emphasizing that every pitch really counts. I focused on hitting my spots and what pitches to throw in certain situations.”
Whether he has an 0-2 count with two outs up 10 runs, or in a one-score game down 3-0 in the count with the bases loaded, Warriors’ baseball skipper Mike Odenwaelder explains that no stage is too big for Nathan, thanks in large part to expanding his arsenal and asserting himself mentally on the mound.
“Nate has been a valuable asset to Eastern’s pitching staff for years now. His experience and level-headedness allow him to perform and execute no matter how big the moment gets,” says Odenwaelder. “Over the years, Nate has added pitches to his repertoire, as well as learned how to mix his arm slot to keep hitters off balance. His high IQ, along with his competitive work ethic, allow him to keep lineups off balance without having an overpowering fastball like some pitchers.”
In working with a fresh coaching staff this spring, Nathan expanded his horizons as a hurler by learning to attack from a different angle while crafting an assertive arsenal of pitches to help command respect amongst opposing batters.
“My first year, I was mainly an over-the-top pitcher,” says Nathan. “We had new coaches this year, and I did some side-arm drills with them, and they saw that I looked natural with the side arm. I started mixing that in and different sequences. I have improved the most with my change up, but the slider is my go-to pitch. I just have a good feel for it.”
Nathan further details that he harnesses the pressure of the spotlight and being the pace setter in the center of the diamond. For him, all it takes is a quick cool down pregame moment to help him start throwing fire for the Warriors.
“As a pitcher, I love that it is all eyes on me and that I control the game and set the tone for the team. It helps me settle down and do my thing,” Nathan says. “I have to give credit to our new coaches, because they emphasize the mental game. Before a game, I will sit and give myself five minutes to picture myself on the mound and think about what I want to accomplish.”
Odenwaelder adds that even on days when he is not on the bump, Nathan’s impact can be felt all throughout the dugout with palpable positivity and optimism.
“Nate has been a joy to coach. He is a tremendous teammate and finds ways to help us compete and win games, even when he is not on the mound,” says Odenwaelder. “Whether it’s charting in the dugout, keeping great and positive energy, or helping mold the minds of younger players, Nate always finds a way to have a positive impact on our program day in and day out.”
Motivated towards attaining higher goals both in and out of the dugout, Nathan will return to ECSU to obtain his Master’s Degree in addition to making his way back up the hill to help the Warriors once again reach the mountain top as NCAA Division III World Series champions after claiming the crown a year ago.
“We will pretty much have our whole team back next year, and I want to get back to the World Series,” says Nathan. “With our new coaches, it was about trying to get a feel for things at the start of this season. We set a good example last year, and we had returning guys that knew the culture, which helped get the new coaches more accepted. Everyone doubted us in terms of winning LECs again, but we knew what we were capable of.”
Never forgetting his humble beginnings and where he came from, Nathan heaps praise upon his former East Haven coaches and mentors for helping show him the way not only on the court, the field, but most importantly, in life.
“[Former East Haven boys’ basketball team Head Coach] Rick Narracci was a really great coach who helped me learn about good and bad things in life, as did [EHHS baseball skipper] Butch Johnson,” Nathan says. “East Haven helped set a good example for me of how to move on and do better in my life.”