On Thursday, November 14 and Monday, November 18, three members of the Williston Northampton varsity baseball team signed National Letters of Intent to play college baseball.

Erik Ostberg ’14 signed with the University of Hartford on Thursday. On Monday Anthony Cruz ’14 signed with Quinnipiac University and Adam Krol ’14 signed with St. Anslem College. By signing the letters, and agreeing to the respective scholarship agreements, the three students notified other schools that they may no longer be recruited.

Anthony Cruz ’14
Mr. Cruz, a post-graduate student from Burlington, MA, signed a National Letter of Intent to play Division I baseball for Quinnipiac University. His parents, Edwin and Teresa Cruz, said they were impressed with the University’s community atmosphere.

While attending Burlington High School Mr. Cruz participated in the school’s theater productions directed by the sister of Williston Northampton’s Head Varsity Baseball Coach, Matt Sawyer.

“Once the Cruz family visited campus, it was clear that he would be a great fit for our community,” said Mr. Sawyer. A well-known catcher, Mr. Cruz previously played in summer tournaments with his now teammate senior Erik Ostberg.

Mr. Sawyer, who also coaches football, witnessed Mr. Cruz’s athleticism on the football field this fall and noted Mr. Cruz’s work ethic and leadership skills. “I know that he will bring a strong focus and intensity to the baseball diamond this spring,” said Mr. Sawyer.

Mr. Cruz said when he first visited the Hamden, CT campus it felt like he was realizing his dream of playing Division I baseball. Following the upcoming season at Williston, Mr. Cruz will be catching for the Bobcats under the guidance of Head Coach Dan Gooley.

Read more about Mr. Cruz here.

Adam Krol ’14
On Monday, Mr. Krol, a six-year senor, signed a National Letter of Intent to play Division II baseball for St. Anslem College.

Head Varsity Baseball Coach Matt Sawyer remembers Mr. Krol visibly nervous in his first varsity pitching appearance in a preseason tournament in Florida, but by the end of the season he had gained his confidence and earned a starting position in a playoff game against Salisbury School. His pitching in this postseason game earned him his first spot on the Western New England Prep Baseball League (WNEPBL) All-Star team.

“As a junior,” said Mr. Sawyer, “Adam solidified our pitching staff as our number one starter and had some huge wins, the biggest coming at the end of the year in a must-win game against Pomfret School.”

Mr. Krol was again selected to the WNEPBL All-Star team as a junior and had 47 strikeouts and a 4.79 ERA in the 2013 season.

“He is the consummate teammate who works hard at practice every day and cares more about the team’s success than his own,” said Mr. Sawyer.

Mr. Krol, who is from Sunderland, MA and plans on studying economics and business, said an added bonus of going to St. Anslem, located in Manchester, New Hampshire, is that he would be in New Hampshire for the 2016 presidential election primaries.

Following his final season with the Wildcats this spring, Mr. Krol will be pitching for the Hawks under the guidance of Head Coach Barry Rosen.

Erik Ostberg ’14
Mr. Ostberg, who has attended Williston since the seventh grade, signed a National Letter of Intent to play Division I baseball at the University of Hartford. A native of Florence, MA, Mr. Ostberg catches for the Wildcats and has led the team with 25 hits and a .500 batting average. Last season he was named Player of the Year in the Cleary Division of the Western New England Prep Baseball League (WNEPBL).

“Playing at a school like Hartford has been his goal for years, and I am so proud of him,” said Head Varsity Baseball Coach Matt Sawyer.

Mr. Ostberg is a wonderful teammate and a team leader, Mr. Sawyer said, adding that his team captain leads by example. “It does not matter what the weather is or how tedious the drill, Erik is giving his all and working to improve himself and the team,” Mr. Sawyer said.

Mr. Ostberg said he is excited about joining the Hartford Hawks next year. He noted the West Hartford campus has some of the premier baseball facilities in New England and their coaching staff is top notch.

But, the six-year senior said he will miss his teachers at Williston, especially Mr. Sawyer and Mr. McKillop.

“Erik has become my children’s favorite baby sitter. They know that he is as genuine as they come, and they will miss him terribly when he graduates,” Mr. Sawyer said. “There is no doubt that we will figure out a way to head down Route 91 to cheer on the Hawks when we get the chance.”

Mr. Ostberg will finish his career with the Wildcats and will be catching for the Hawks under the guidance of Head Coach Justin Blood in the spring of 2015.

 

Read more about Adam Krol and Erik Ostberg on masslive.