Third base, aka the hot corner, can easily be considered one of the toughest positions in baseball. To play third baseman, a certain type of athlete is necessary; specifically one who has on point hand-eye coordination, quick reactions, speedy feet, a powerful arm and most importantly, a positive attitude.
Fairfield men’s baseball Head Coach Bill Currier noticed these abilities in Massachusetts native Jake Salpietro ‘16 when he came to the team last year.
However, the sophomore has not always been a third baseman. In fact, Salpietro has been playing baseball since he was a young child and played shortstop throughout his baseball career.
At first, becoming a third baseman was a big transition for Salpietro. Having to adapt to the most challenging position on the diamond takes a great deal of time to get used to, being that he holds just a .750 fielding percentage thus far this season and holds a team high nine errors. This is an improvement from his 21 errors last season.
“Especially coming into new surroundings, it was tough,” Salpietro said. “I struggled last year, but I’m starting to get the hang of it now.”
Salpietro excels particularly on offense, leading the team in batting average, hits, home runs and runs batted in. After hitting .471 in five games last week, he was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Baseball Player of the Week.
This season, the Fairfield men’s baseball team is currently in second place in the MAAC, right below Siena College. Salpietro believes Siena is their biggest competitor, but knows his team will continue to finish strong.
“I really think we have a chance to win it all this year,” said Salpietro. “I feel everyone is devoted and has the willingness to win. The level of maturity was better than it was last year and everyone is more bought into the system than the past years.”
The team’s success reflects the leadership of this season’s captains, seniors Ryan Plourde, Rob LoPinto and Brian Murphy. Salpietro looks up to them and appreciates their help.
“This year, all three of the captains do a good job with communication and things we should be doing like devotion to the weight room, practice and outside of practice,” said Salpietro.
After the school year, the baseball lifestyle does not end for the third baseman. He will continue playing baseball in the summer for the Amsterdam Mohawks in Amsterdam, N.Y., competing with other skilled players in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League along with teammates E.J. Ashworth ‘15 and Joe Randall ‘16.
Salpietro said he is excited for the summer league, which starts right after the spring season ends. He hopes that the Stags win the MAAC Tournament before he goes off to play summer ball. He, along with the rest of the team, sees this as a very possible goal.
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