I sat down with reigning Ivy League Player of the Year Nick Santomauro '10 to discuss Dartmouth baseball's historic year and the possibilities of continuing his career beyond the collegiate level.
How important was this year's championship season for the team?
NS: We really wanted to do it for ourselves this year because we busted our butts even more than we did last year, but we also wanted to do it for coach Whalen, too. There's nobody who works harder in the entire country, I would guess. He's such a great coach, it's really shocking that he hasn't won [an Ivy championship before this season]. We really wanted to do it for him, and for ourselves too, but it meant a lot.
What were the strengths of this year's team? Was this one of the best offensive teams you've ever been on?
NS: Definitely -- the best offensive team I've ever been a part of. The thing about our lineup is that even if our best hitters don't do the job, everyone behind is going to come up big.
Especially with two outs...
NS: Yeah, I mean it's really just our approach. It's our ability to stay relaxed in the box with two outs and know that we still have time to score a run. Everybody in our lineup is fantastic, everyone's got tons of talent, and it's just a really good recipe for a good offensive year.
Where does this confidence come from? Do you attribute any success to the quality of teams you guys played on your spring trip in California?
NS: Definitely, I mean when you play the best competition it makes you better, you rise to that level. We started really playing well the end of the trip the last two games, and kind of took it into the rest of the season. Seeing pitching like that really helps. The Ivy League pitchers are really about command, and the guys we saw in California have the command, and then they have the 90-mile-per-hour-plus fastball, which is what you really need to get people out.
Individually, how does this season compare to your first two? Do you feel like this has been your best, or are you just trying to build on past success?
NS: No, I'm just trying to build. I'm always working -- I'd like to think that I'm working harder than anyone else out there. I don't know if it's true or not, but that's what I'd like to think to myself at least. Every year is a process -- I'm always trying to get better. Breaking through would not be something I want to do, because if you break through, it's kind of like peaking out almost.
What are your aspirations for next season? Are you going to look to make the jump to the pros next year, or are you going to come back to Dartmouth?
NS: The thing is, I don't want to talk about after the season because our goal isn't accomplished yet. We want to get to Omaha -- we want to win the whole thing no matter how unlikely that is. There's never been an Ivy League team to win a regional, and right now that's our number one goal.
What's been the toughest pitching you've faced this year?
NS: The second pitcher for Santa Clara was probably the best pitcher we've faced so far. He was upper 80's, he had two other pitches that he spotted really well and he no-hit us, or I think he had a perfect game through seven innings. His command was phenomenal that day. I guess in the Ivy League that kid David Hale from Princeton is probably the best guy we faced. He was hitting 92 to 94 [miles per hour] against us, and he's probably going to get drafted in the third round this year.
Talk about the importance of freshmen to this year's team. How do you guys get such good talent to come to Hanover to play baseball?
NS: The thing is that we have the most gorgeous facilities in the entire Northeast. Our weight room, our field -- it's gorgeous. If you could see our locker room you would know how beautiful that is too. Honestly, with all the facilities we have, our winning attitude, with one of the best coaches in the country, I can't see how players wouldn't want to come here. You get the education, and you get a great experience for baseball. It shows -- our freshman class is probably one of the most talented we've had in a long time. They're really just all studs -- every one of them -- and honestly, I think next year's class is going to be fantastic too. I've heard really good things about it. I can't imagine us not having good recruiting classes.
Do you want to leave us with any expectations for Dartmouth baseball?
NS: I think we're going to win a few games in the regional. And next year, I see a repeat coming.
