CHECKING IN WITH ... ROB DELACRUZ
(Editor's note: The Day will be publishing a profile of a spring athlete for each day of the canceled high school athletic season.)
School: Montville High School Class: Senior Sport: Baseball Position: Shortstop College choice: Mitchell College Chosen major: Marine science
Athlete you grew up admiring: Robinson Cano Catching up with Rob: "I was so looking forward to what this year's team could do, knowing we won the (Eastern Connecticut Conference Division III) title last year. I think this year would have been a little tougher than last year but I still think we would be able to defend it."
What you need to know about Rob: DelaCruz plans to major in marine science at Mitchell because of an interest in the subject he picked up in high school. His favorite sports memory goes back even before his days at Montville High. He was part of a travel team national championship in Florida at age 12, which he calls "the greatest feeling ever." His first baseball memory even precedes that. "I remember playing Tee Ball at age four at the Mall Field in Uncasville," he said. DelaCruz was able to play alongside his brother, Doug, at Montville and in years before. "I liked playing with Doug in high school because since I was 10 years old, Doug and I have always played with each other. I kind of looked up to him playing but not really because I have always strived to be better than him which is where I am as a player now," he said. A first team ECC Division III all-star last season, DelaCruz said he likes offense better than defense, adding, "I won't give away a lot of secrets to being a good shortstop, but a couple things I would say are having a good mindset and quick feet/hands." DelaCruz lists Waterford's Jared Burrows as the toughest pitcher he's ever faced and says Great Oak Pizza is his favorite restaurant. To his teammates, he said: "Always put in that hard work in the weight room, on the field and in the classroom. To my fellow seniors, I am going to miss playing with you guys, Colby Miner and Peyton McNichol. Also, I am going to miss our managers, Brooke, Joelle and Maddy, in the dugout who always had fun no matter what."