UConn Baseball Inks Five Area Standouts

STORRS, Conn. -- University of Connecticut baseball head coach Andy Baylock has announced the signings of five New England area high school student-athletes on Thursday. The class features three in-state products from Connecticut along with two from Massachusetts. A breakdown by position shows the class includes a trio of right- handed pitchers along with one infielder and one who has the possibility of playing either the infield or outfield.

"We addressed our needs for the future with our efforts this summer and fall in evaluating and recruiting these five players," commented Baylock. "They are all fine young men who are committed in both the classroom and on the field to becoming the very best they can be. In order to compete in the BIG EAST Conference, we need top talent along with a great commitment to development. In visiting with these young men and their families, we feel these five student-athletes will be supremely dedicated to earning a degree and to winning championships during their time in Storrs. We look forward to their arrival on campus in the fall of 2001."

Listed below are the five signees:

Frank Cipolla-IF-5'7"-155lbs.-East Catholic High School (Manchester, CT)-Glastonbury, CT
A local product, Cipolla plays second base at East Catholic HS and for the East Hartford American Legion program in the summer. As a left-handed hitter, Cipolla hit .507 with three homeruns and committed no errors during his junior season on his way to being named All-State and All-Northwest Conference at ECHS. In addition to running track, Cipolla was named as the baseball team's Most Valuable Player, a Zone VIII All-Star and a Connecticut Legion East All-Star for his summer team. He plays for former Husky captain Jim Penders at East Catholic HS.

Tim Dempsey-OF/IF-5'11"-185lbs.-Lexington High School-Lexington, MA
Another left-handed batter with above average speed, Dempsey will join the Huskies after wrapping up a stellar prep career. As a first-team All- Middlesex League selection, Bay State Game Team One and AAU National Tournament participant, Dempsey will bring a powerful swing and good athleticism to Storrs when he arrives in 2001. He hit .477 with four homeruns in the 2000 high school season. While a prototypical right fielder in high school, he is capable of playing all four corner positions on the diamond. Dempsey runs track and plays baseball for Lexington High coach Tom O'Grady. He is also the cousin of former major- leaguer Mike Pagliarulo.

Josh MacDonald-RHP-6'3"-215lbs.-Notre Dame High School (West Haven, CT)-Milford, CT
Known as a fiery competitor with good velocity, MacDonald is coming off a 2000 season that saw him compile a 10-4 record with 79 strikeouts in 68 innings of work. MacDonald quickly established himself as one of Connecticut's premier high school pitchers this past year. He helped the Notre Dame Green Knights to the Class LL state title during his junior year and went on to star for the Milford American Legion squad during the summer. MacDonald was named All-Elm City, Zone II America Legion All-Star and was a Connecticut Legion West All-Star. He plays for Notre Dame head coach Lou Kessler and former Husky standout and current NDHS assistant coach Gianni Ragaini.

Joe Smeraglino-RHP-6'1"-185lbs.-Shelton High School-Shelton, CT
The top pitcher for Shelton this past season, Smeraglino struck out 85 batters in just 53 innings. In so doing, he was named All-League, All-Valley and selected as a second-team Connecticut Post All- Star. He also was a standout for his Shelton American Legion team, which reached the state tournament this summer. He is coached at Shelton High School by Ed Marocco and during the Legion season by former Yale coach Joe Benanto.

Nick Tucci-RHP-6'2"-185lbs.-Medford High School- Medford, MA
One of the regions most heavily sought after pitchers, Tucci decided to call Storrs home after a busy recruiting period. Possessing a fastball in the high 80's, an excellent breaking ball and a good command, he became a top prospect this summer. In addition to slugging eight homers and hitting .443 for Medford HS coach Paul Mattall, the lanky right-hander had an 8-1 record on the mound with 96 strikeouts and just 25 walks in 68.2 innings pitched. He was elected captain of his Medford HS team as a junior and senior. Tucci is a three-time Bay State Games participant, a two-time Greater Boston League All-Star, a Greater Boston League Most Valuable Player, an Eastern Massachusetts All- Star and a Boston Herald All-Scholastic Team selection.

A year ago, the Huskies enjoyed record-breaking success as they set the school single season record for wins by going 32-17 en route to a fourth place finish in the BIG EAST and a berth in the conference tournament held in Bridgewater, NJ. The team also garnered recognition as the top college team in New England by a vote of the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association.

The 2001 season begins with a three game series on the road against the University of North Carolina- Greensboro, Feb. 16-18.

University of Connecticut Athletics

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