Bobby Martinez – Sports Writer
NEW HAVEN — Sophomore pitcher Mike Yerina received scholarship offers not only for baseball, but he also was just as good in basketball during his days at Trumbull High School.
“In basketball,” said Yerina, “I had a couple of colleges wanting to recruit me for basketball but I chose baseball instead because I liked it better.”
Southern wasn’t the only school Yerina was receiving offers from numerous well known schools who wanted Yerina to continue his baseball career in their uniform.
“I had offers from Trinity College,” said Yerina, “Western New England and University and University of Albany.”
As a Trumbull native, Yerina decided to wear the Owls uniform because home is where his heart is. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends as much as possible he said and also liked what Southern Connecticut State University had to offer as far as his academics go.
Prior to Southern, Yerina had numerous accomplishments such as 2012 Conference Tournament MVP, Connecticut Post All-Star for both baseball and basketball, All-Conference selection in baseball and basketball, team captain his senior year and a Two-time American Legion Zone IV All-Star.
Yerina said despite all his lifetime achievements, there was one achievement in particular that he is most proud of.
“I think winning a championship my senior and being named MVP,” said Yerina, “is my greatest accomplishment.”
Yerina, who is a finance major, said he enjoys the playing baseball for the school because the coaches and the players are all a great group of guys who always strive to become better. As freshmen, he completed the season with a 2.12 ERA which was the second best on the team, 22 strikeouts in a total of 29.2 innings. He was named to the Northeast-10 Conference All-Rookie Team and also NE-10 Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
This season, Yerina has gotten off to a hot start with 24 strikeouts, allowed a total of 18 hits, five runs and four walks in all nine games where he pitched a total of 24.1 innings. Yerina set the bar high for himself this season saying he wants to reach that ultimate goal; a title.
“Going into the season the goal is to always first make that play offs,” he said, “or winning as many games as we can to hopefully win a National Title.”
In order to achieve his main goal this season, Yerina worked out all summer and winter to improve his game he said.
“I play in summer leagues with teams to get better,” said Yerina. “ Last summer I played in the Futures baseball league and this upcoming summer I will be playing for the Coastal Plains team down in Virginia. As for the winter time, I usually work on my pitching and running to stay in shape as well.”
Yerina started off his sophomore year in an opener against Southern New Hampshire where he pitched six innings fanning out five hitters in a losing effort 6-1. Against Florida Tech University, he had a season high in strikeouts with six as his team went on to win 13-5.
Yerina currently hold a 1.11 ERA heading into their matchup against American International College. Midway into the Owls season, they are currently 12-9-1 heading into their three game series against American International College. Last season, the Owls completed the year with a record of 20-21-1 where they lost their last five games of the year.
With two more years left, Yerina said he hopes to provide his team with as much help as he can because to him, pitching is the best feeling.
“ I just love the adrenaline rush,” said Yerina, “ when you’re there and your team needs you to come through for them. The best is when you are able to help your team out and be able to win games. To me it’s the best feeling and is the reason why I love pitching.”
