Player Profile: Pat Cantwell

Player Profile of the Day:

  Patrick Cantwell #3

Bio: Cantwell is a 6'1" 190lb JR Catcher/OF from West Islip, NY. Pat went to West Islip H.S. and at Stony Brook he is a Biology major. At West Islip Pat played 3 years on varsity and was a captain for all 3. In 2008 he helped lead his team to a 23-5 record and a Suffolk Class AA Championship. He hit .477 with 31 runs scored, 8 triples, 2 HR and 33 RBI. This led to his selection of All-League, All-County and All-Long Island. He not only excelled in baseball but was a 4 year varsity soccer player as well. He was a 3 time captain, named 2007 second team All-American, All-State, All-Region and All-Long Island as a senior.
**His freshman year in 2009 he appeared in 42 games, starting 31 of which 30 were at catcher. He led the America East with 15 runners caught stealing, hit .284 with 24 runs scored and 16 RBI. His first game played garnered his first career hit at Florida Atlantic, he had 2 hits on that day. This season earned him a spot on the America East All-Rookie team as he played a key role throughout the season.
**In the 2010 championship season Pat had an outstanding Sophomore year. He played in 54 games, making 51 starts, 14 as a catcher and 37 at RF. He ranked second on the team and 6th in the America East with a .361 avg, second on the team with 46 runs scored recording 25 multi hit games and 36 RBI. He also tied for 6th in the Conference with 15 doubles and 7th with a .439 OB%.  He played his best at the most crucial of games. Went 3-7 with four runs scored at San Diego State and against Maine he had a career-high 5 for 6 performance. In the conference tournament he hit .385 with 6 RBI with a huge go-ahead 2 run HR in the 7th inning against Albany in the title game. During the regional against NC State he had a hit and run scored in the 6-2 victory, the first regional win in school history. This year earned him honors of All-America East second team as an OF and was named the America East Conference tournament Most Outstanding Player for his contributions at the plate as well as on defense.

Pat at Pepperdine in Malibu

Catching a pen at UNC Wilmington

Winning a Championship for Cantwell last season was his main goal and looking to this season it is no different:

Looking back at the 2010 season what can you say defined your year personally as well as a team?

  "As a team I think that our attitude on and off the field helped to come together as a team instead of individuals pursuing their own goals.  We had one team goal and that is what we strove for."

What did you do this off season to help better yourself for the coming year?

  "Threw, hit, and lifted on a more consistent basis than ever before.  I have also started to read more books/articles relating to certain aspects of my game I feel I can improve upon."

Who do you try to emulate with your game?and why?

  "I would have to say Troy Tulowitski.  He is a known presence on the field and I just feel like he is giving it 100 percent every time he steps on the field."

Do you have any rituals or superstitions?

  "I always always have to stretch my hip flexors before I get into the batters box, otherwise I feel like I can’t move.  During the national anthem I always have to close my eyes."

If you had to advise a younger player or teammate looking to play at a higher level, what would be the most important thing you would tell them?

  "Never settle for anything less than you deserve.  If you work hard at something, and truly want it, there isn’t a lot of things that can stand in your way.  Just go out and play.  A lot of people will tell you what you are doing right or wrong, but when it comes down to it, on the field just have fun."

What are your goals for this coming season?

 "Win a regional."

What did you take from 2010 do you think will help achieve these goals in 2011?

  "I think that our team has great leadership but I also feel like the hurt of the loss at the regional will help some guys to get after it even harder this year."

What type of non physical prep do you do to get yourself prepared for playing? 

  "Listening to my Ipod or thinking about something fun.  Anything at all to get me ready to play."

 

When your not playing or training what do you do to get away if you have to? 

  "As bad as it is, play basketball haha."

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