SV grads leading way at Va. Tech
It might be a stretch to call it Seneca Valley Central, but Virginia Tech has served as a prime stage for two former Raiders baseball stars.
Sam Fragale provides the power and Connor Coward the pitching for a Hokies team that entered the week with a 20-26 overall record, including 8-16 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“It’s great that we’re doing this together,” said Coward, a junior righthander who leads the team with a 5-2 record and was named to the National Pitcher of the Year Watch List. “I used to walk through my backyard to get to Sam’s house. So, for us to be here and competing at this level, it’s pretty amazing.”
A redshirt junior first baseman, Fragale is among the more prolific power hitters in the nation.
His 14 homers and 55 RBIs ranked 14th and eighth, respectively, in the NCAA through 46 games. His 111 total bases checked in at No. 28.
After a successful offseason playing in the Perfect Game League in upstate New York, Fragale needed little time to flex his muscles this spring.
In the opener against USC Upstate, he hit three homers in his first three at-bats. He would finish 5 for 5 with a double, triple and seven RBIs.
He has since produced two more multi-homer and 14 multi-RBI games.
“I was looking to get it going early,” said Fragale, named the Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week and the ACC Player of the Week after producing 7 hits, 3 homers and 9 RBIs on that opening weekend. “It was a good start.”
Fragale’s power surge did not come as a complete surprise, given he produced seven homers and 37 RBIs a year ago. But it was a long way from a freshman season in which he managed just one homer and 10 RBIs in 35 games.
Some self-analysis and an improved focus helped to reverse his fortunes.
“I had some struggles my first couple of years, for sure,” the Hokies’ cleanup hitter said. “But I knew I had to be patient with things. It was mostly about my mental approach and dealing with the highs and lows. As far as my strength and my swing, those things haven’t changed a whole lot. It was about me doing a better job with the mental side of things.”
In fairness to Fragale, the ACC is not an easy league to adapt to. Three conference members — No. 2 Louisville, No. 3 North Carolina and No. 8 Clemson — were ranked in the top 8 entering the week. Five were in the top 25.
“It’s the toughest conference going,” Fragale said. “You have to be ready every time out. The competition is incredible.”
Fragale’s focus, like Coward’s, is leading Virginia Tech to the ACC tournament after missing out last season. With six conference games remaining, the Hokies currently hold the 12th and final spot in the 14team league.
“The goal is getting in,” said Coward, who, like Fragale, was part of two WPIAL championship teams at Seneca Valley. “From there, you give yourself a chance to compete and move on.”
Coward has been a bright spot on a Virginia Tech staff that entered the week with the highest earned run average (5.64) in the conference.
Through 46 games, he led the Hokies in wins (5), starts (10) and innings pitched (59). He was third in strikeouts (48) and fourth in batting average against (.258).
A reliever throughout much of his first two seasons, Coward was promoted to the coveted weekend starting rotation in March, just in time to face hometown Pitt in Pittsburgh.
“Worked out well,” Coward said.
In a no-decision, Coward yielded only two runs and two hits in 6⅓ innings. He then topped off the weekend by making a run with his teammates to his favorite sandwich spot, Primanti Brothers.
“It was a great to be back,” said Coward, who went 4-0 with a 2.00 ERA in March. “I had a lot of family and friends there. My high school coach [Eric Semega] even made it. I threw pretty well.”
With the Major League Baseball draft approaching in June, Coward and Fragale are hoping to hear their names called. Several teams have shown interest, according to the two, yet neither was given a guarantee.
“Obviously, being picked is something you dream about as a kid,” said Fragale, an ACC All-Academic selection majoring in human nutrition, foods and exercise. “And if the opportunity presents itself, I’ll try to take advantage of it. But right now, the focus is on school, baseball and helping to get us to the postseason. Everything else will take care of itself.”
Added Coward, a future lawyer: “When I came to college, I didn’t give myself the ultimatum that I have to make it to the pros or else. I’m here for the academics and to get a great education. I’m just trying to enjoy the college experience.”