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03/28/2023 05:21 AMFor two senior class members of the East Haven High School (EHHS) baseball team’s pitching staff, as they get ready to man the mound for the Yellowjackets this spring, they do it with a great guarantee in their back pockets, knowing that this will in fact not be their final stops together along the base paths.
Recently, Jack Angelo and Aaron McIntyre signed on to play baseball at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven for the NCAA Division III Falcons. Angelo was the starting pitcher in all four of the team’s victories in East Haven’s 2022 season. Angelo, who finished the year with a 4-2 record and a 2.85 ERA on his way to being named the Yellowjackets’ Most Valuable Player, is beaming with excitement for both his academic and athletic future.
“To be able to continue my education, as well as playing the sport I love at Albertus, means everything to me,” said Angelo. “Having the opportunity to play college baseball is what I have been working towards my whole life. I am so grateful for my family, friends, and coaches who have pushed me along the way to help me get here. I want to also thank [Albertus Magnus College baseball Head] Coach [Brian] Leighton for giving me this opportunity. I am so excited to continue my education at Albertus and play baseball for an awesome school.”
McIntyre recalled that the youth era of his burgeoning baseball career was almost cut short. Yet with the heart and courage of a competitor and the will of a winner, he stuck it out and saw his adoration and passion for the game take off like a rocket.
“I started playing baseball when I was three years old. At seven years old, I had injured my knee, and it was doubtful if I would play again,” said McIntyre. “But when I turned eight years old, I was blessed with the opportunity to play travel baseball for the East Haven Swarm and eventually played baseball at Joseph Melillo Middle School and EHHS. This is where I found my true love for baseball and made friends I will have for the rest of my life.”
Angelo added that the best instances within the walls of the Yellowjackets’ program have come when fraternizing with his colleagues inside and outside of the dugout. He pointed out, though, that one special in-game moment came when East Haven spoiled the Senior Day of its bitter rival.
“The most memorable moments from playing baseball at EHHS were all of the times I got to spend with my teammates. My teammates and I have created the most unbreakable bonds and have so much fun playing together, even just hanging out with each other in the locker room,” Angelo said. “The most memorable victory was when we took on our rival, Branford, for the last game of the 2022 season. This was also Branford’s Senior Night, and they were looking to beat us. I pitched this game and led us to a 2-1 victory. We battled all game and were so determined to win this game. It was a great game, and I can’t wait to make so many more memories with my teammates for my senior season.”
McIntyre’s fond memories include pitching a gem against North Haven, holding a potent Nighthawks’ offense off the board.
“I have many great memories playing baseball for East Haven High School. I looked up to the past seniors and captains, and they have taught me a lot,” McIntyre said. “But my most memorable moment so far at EHHS was the away game at North Haven last year when I threw a complete game and kept them scoreless until the sixth inning.”
As McIntyre will look to study Sports Management while attending Albertus, he is eternally grateful for his family, who never stopped encouraging him to follow and later fulfill his dreams while showcasing his skills on multiple different stages of the sport.
“None of this would be possible without dedication and my parents and coaches who believed in me every step of the way. Even my younger brother Adam would take time to help me put in additional practice,” McIntyre said. “I played travel baseball for the East Haven Swarm for most of my years, eventually moving to the Connecticut Mets Baseball Academy. Here is where I decided to devote my time to pitching. Soon, I started to draw interest from colleges. After talking to Coach Leighton and visiting the school, I knew that Albertus Magnus was the perfect school for me. I’m very lucky and blessed to be able to extend both my academic and athletic careers.”
As he looks on the horizon to his future, Angelo remarked that he is looking to step foot into the business world after receiving a top-notch education. He detailed that when it comes to toeing the rubber for the Falcons, he wants to be a lynchpin to prominence for Albertus.
“My goals for Albertus are simple: I just want to be successful. I am hoping to graduate with a degree in Business Management and be ready to start up my own business right out of college,” Angelo said. “My athletic goals are to stay healthy, have a lot of fun, win a lot of games, become a key player to this team, and a reason we are winning. I am looking to be remembered when I graduate from Albertus Magnus College.”
East Haven baseball skipper Butch Johnson has it in good faith that both young men will serve the Falcons well as dedicated ball players based on the track record they have made for themselves under his stewardship.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to coach these two outstanding young men. They represent themselves, their family, school, and community in a way that makes us proud,” said Johnson. “Jack and Aaron have always worked hard and encouraged others along the way. They lead by example and never let a personal disappointment get in the way of trying to get better both on and off the field. From preseason workouts to the regular season, they are the first to arrive and the last to leave. I am positive that both of these young men will be a welcome addition to the Albertus baseball program, as well as to their fine college.”
Angelo concluded his thoughts by noting that the chance to play on a big collegiate stage is enough of a privilege, yet to do it alongside a longtime friend and teammate is simply icing on the cake, as the tandem look to take on all the anxieties and joys of college life together.
“Lastly, to be able to continue playing baseball with one of my best friends, Aaron, means the world to me. I am so happy that we both were given the opportunity to continue our baseball career,” Angelo stated. “Aaron and I have played together since middle school, and I know that both of us will be a great addition and contribute to winning baseball games at Albertus Magnus. To have Aaron there with me relieves some additional stress, and I can’t wait to spend the next chapter of my life with such a great friend and teammate.”
McIntyre echoes similar sentiments with his current East Haven club mate and future collegiate colleague–anointing Angelo as a selfless teammate who will always put the betterment of the squad above his own desires.
“To be able to venture into college with a person like Jack is a great honor. Not only is he a great friend, but he’s just a great person in general,” said McIntyre on Angelo. “He’s the type of person to stop everything he’s doing to just help out someone else. Over the course of my life, I have built up so much respect for him, and I know that throughout the course of our high school careers our teammates, classmates, and coaches have, too. He’s one of the kindest and smartest people I’ve met in my life. I am very excited to extend my athletic and academic career with him.”