Local prodigy commits to Louisville
By PETER FRANCIS
INTERN
SHEFFIELD – Most high school athletes never play another game after their senior year. A few end up playing in college, but usually at a smaller school in a lower division.
Then there are those special few athletes whose hard work and dedication combine seamlessly with elite talent to earn them a division one-college scholarship. Until recently, it had been a while since Westfield had a division one college athlete to be proud of.
Well, the drought is over.
Ryan Summers is the name, and baseball is his game. Now a junior at the Berkshire School in Sheffield, Summers is ready to join the upper echelon of collegiate athletes, signing with the Cardinals of the University of Louisville.
A stud catcher and solid outfielder, Summers was a picture of versatility for the Bombers for three seasons.
However, it was on the off-season circuit, playing for the Northeast Rays club team, where Summers really made a name for himself outside of the region.
His star turn took place at the World Wood Bat Classic in Georgia last summer, where the talented catcher gained the attention of legions of college scouts.
Despite being recognized as one of Massachusetts’ top prospects, according to such outlets as ESPN Boston, Summers remains humble about his future.
“I’m just going to keep working hard,” said Summers. “Louisville has been to the College World Series before, so they are competitive and they hate to lose.”
Speculation over Summers’ college selection intensified after he opted to repeat his junior year at the Berkshire school, following a junior baseball season in which he showed serious pop with the bat, hitting 7 home runs and 28 RBIs.
In December, Summers made his move, committing to Louisville, and turning down a slew of suitors that included regional powers such as the University of Rhode Island, Boston College and the University of Massachusetts.
When asked why he selected the Cardinals, Summers stayed true to his focused nature, bluntly stating that the baseball program and their facilities were integral in his selection, while also expressing great admiration for their business administration program.
Having just returned to the Bay State from a recent Berkshire Baseball trip to Florida, Summers is ready to lead his new team to glory in the Western New England Prep Baseball League (WNEPBL).
“We’re looking to have a strong year,” Summers said, “we are going to be without two seniors to start the year because of injuries, but we will play our hardest every time out to make up for those losses.”
Bears Head Coach Jason Gappa is equally optimistic about his team and his new star.
“Ryan is a great addition for us,” the Bears’ twelfth year skipper said, “ He’s a quality player, a quality kid and a great team guy for us. He’s just excited to play baseball everyday.”
Gappa also showered praise onto his catcher in regards to his performance in the classroom, as Summers takes his studies just as seriously as he does blocking balls and commanding the field for the Bears.
And while these next two seasons look to be very exciting for Ryan and his Berkshire teammates, Summers is looking forward to the challenges awaiting him in Kentucky. For now however, he is content to do what he loves: playing baseball, going to class and getting better everyday.
Peter Francis can be reached at [email protected]
