The nation’s leader in batting average. The longest postseason run in program history. A spot in the NCAA Division III baseball Super Regionals and a college career still in motion.
Could Andrew Mazzone’s final college baseball season go any better than this?
Actually, yes.
For the first time in the Belmont resident’s career, he’s playing in New England. His No. 16/21 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags play at No. 3/4 Endicott College at North Field in Beverly for the NCAA Division III Super Regionals. The best-of-three series begins Friday with another Saturday, and if necessary, Sunday.
“It really does mean a lot,” Mazzone said. “I’m really happy that my parents can both see me in person without flying. It’s going to be a special moment, and it means a lot to me to continue spending time with these guys who are so special to me.”
The team flew into Boston on Wednesday with a practice day Thursday. Mazzone’s parents, John and Emi, are hosting some events for other parents. Mazzone hopes to show his teammates around Boston if time permits.
“A lot of the guys on this team have never been to Massachusetts or Boston before, so I’m really excited to show my roots as well,” he said.
A graduate student designated hitter who attended Belmont Public Schools through his junior year of high school, Mazzone’s .511 batting average entering the weekend leads all qualifying NCAA hitters, regardless of division. The 6-foot left-handed hitter boasts gaudy total numbers (17 home runs, 51 RBI, 1.637 on-base + slugging percentage) in the 25-year-old’s final season of a long college career that began as a dual-sport athlete in both baseball and football at Dickinson College.
Mazzone credits his success to “enjoying the game” and his close bond with his Stags teammates. Coming off an All-American season last year, Mazzone took no personal accolade goals into the year. He’s recently done it all on a torn PCL sustained in his left knee while sliding a month ago. He now wears a large brace on it every game.
Mazzone and the Stags (35-13) defeated Wisconsin-La Crosse on the road last weekend to capture the program’s first-ever regional. His dad flew from Boston to Milwaukee and drove over three hours to catch it in person.
The Endicott Gulls (41-4) reached the College World Series last year and carry a 10-game win streak into the weekend. This weekend’s winner advances to the national championship in Eastlake, Ohio May 30-June 5.
Wisconsin-La Crosse intentionally walked Mazone 10 times over two games in the regional. He went 10-for-15 with four home runs, eight RBI and 12 total walks across the team’s first five NCAA Tournament contests.
“It was pretty cool, but also a little disappointing, because I’m a DH [designated hitter] and my job is to hit,” Mazzone said. “I was just able to hand it off to the next guy, and that’s what makes it easy, because we have dudes who rake in this lineup.”
Like infielder Alex Henderson, who belted nine home runs over five games.
It’s a full-circle moment in what could be Mazzone’s last, and certainly second to last, college series. Two sites in California were potentially on the table going into the regionals last week, but Mazzone’s road led back to Massachusetts when the bracket shook out.
“It made me consider this whole thing about fate,” he said. “To see us go here, I thought it was honestly crazy. Being in front of my family is more like the cherry on top.”