By Owen Gotimer
LoCoSports Editor-in-Chief
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Leesburg (October 2, 2015) – Tuscarora High School senior Cole Gabriele has made a commitment to continue his baseball career at the University of Mary Washington beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year.
“It was a really good fit for me. Beautiful campus, good academics and I really connected with the baseball coaches,” the 6-foot-3 Gabriele said. “I’m also interested in business, and their program is really solid. I can now focus on my senior year stress free and continue to train.”
Led by fourth-year head coach Wayne Riser, the Division III Eagles are coming off their third best season (27-7) – in terms of winning percentage (.794) – in the baseball program’s 28-year history.
Ranked as high as No. 20 in the nation during their 2015 campaign, UMW was snubbed of a shot in the 56-team DIII NCAA tournament after the team failed to receive a regional selection from the NCAA Division III Baseball Committee.
Gabriele will join an Eagles’ pitching staff – led by pitching coach Brandon Coffey – which posted the Capital Athletic Conference’s second lowest team ERA (3.52) in 2015.
“For starters, they’re getting someone who loves baseball and will work really hard,” the southpaw said. “I’d like to think my best baseball is in front of me, and the coaches at UMW feel the same way. I’m also pretty versatile and would be comfortable starting or coming out of the pen.”
The Fairfax-native will be the second Husky graduate to make the journey to the Fredericksburg-based baseball team as Tuscarora graduate Bernie Mayflower (2012) has helped the Eagles’ pitching staff over the last three seasons.
In 2015, Gabriele helped Mayflower’s alma mater to a 10-11 record which included a 5-5 mark in Conference 14 before the Huskies – led by head coach Mark Bauer – fell to Briar Woods in the first round of the conference tournament.
“We have a strong group of seniors, and we would all like to bring home a championship for coach Bauer and the Tuscarora program,” said Gabriele who plays travel for Diamond Elite. “I can’t wait to get out there next spring.”
