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Q and A with Elon University-bound Connetquot pitcher Joey Savino

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When it comes to his baseball potential, 2019 Connetquot grad Joey Savino says the sky is the limit.

A month out of high school and about a month away from starting classes at Elon University in North Carolina, the 18-year-old pitcher believes he’s on the path to the major leagues.

This spring, the righthander helped lead Connetquot to the program’s first county title since 2015. He was 8-1, including 3-0 in the postseason, and posted a microscopic 0.77 ERA. His stellar senior year season earned him the Gibson Award as Suffolk’s top hurler.

Savino this week took time for a Q and A exchange with GreaterSayville.com:

What will you miss most about playing high school sports?

“What I will miss most about high school baseball is playing with my friends who I grew up with and competing for that state title — repping my school.”

What is it that you enjoy most about the game of baseball?

“I enjoy competing. Pitching is my favorite thing in the world, and it takes the most edge to pitch.”

Do you have an embarrassing baseball moment that you’re comfortable sharing with the world?

“I do, actually. I was in the outfield when I was 10, and I was going for a ball and I tripped over my own feet because I wore a size 12 shoe.”

If there were one person that you could especially acknowledge and thank for helping you reach your goals and be successful, who would it be? And why?

“I would like to thank so many people. My parents for doing everything for me and getting me to practice and paying for my equipment. I’d like to thank my coach Gregg (Sarra) and coach Z (John Zaturn) for teaching me and traveling with me these past 4 years. And a big shoutout to Bill Rom with Superior Athletics, he has done such a great job with not only me, but many other athletes.”

Despite your commitment to play baseball in college, there was the belief that you may be picked in June’s MLB draft. Talk about your thoughts about not being picked and what you were doing on draft day.

“My thoughts were everywhere — many emotions going through my head. I had the chance to be drafted by two teams, but I felt that going to college was the best option for me.”

What led you to choose to play baseball at Elon?

“Elon is one of the best schools in the country. They have a great education, they are a warmer school, the baseball is great, all the coaches know what they are doing, and it felt like the right fit for me.”

What do you plan on studying at Elon?

“I plan on studying business finance.”

What are your goals for the upcoming baseball season?

“My goals for this season are to acclimate to being away from home, to hit the weights and to get the chance to throw some innings this year as a freshman.”

Where do you see yourself in five years?

“In five years, I see myself starting on the mound for a major league team. I believe if I work hard enough and stay healthy. I will be in the major leagues.”

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