South’s D’Eusanio to Youngstown State

South third baseman Steven D’Eusanio signs with Youngstown State. Plus, this week’s Top of the Crop, area statistics, Players of the Week and more.

Many college baseball programs pursued South’s Steven D’Eusanio. When the senior third baseman visited Youngstown State, he said his decision clicked.

D’Eusanio committed to the Penguins during his junior season, and is now signed to play Division I college baseball at Youngstown State.

D’Eusanio enjoyed his time on campus during his visit, Youngstown State’s academics meet D’Eusanio’s standards and he was drawn in by the energy of the Penguins’ coaching staff. “I really want to be a part of it,” D’Eusanio said. “I want to be a part of the experience. I love it there; the campus is absolutely beautiful.”

Youngstown State coach Dan Bertolini and his staff pursued D’Eusanio mainly for his production at the plate — the third baseman hit .390 and drove in 35 runs last season.

By the time D’Eusanio completes his senior year, he will own a handful of the Rebels’ career hitting records. D’Eusanio will play wherever the Penguins can play him to keep his bat in their lineup.

“That’s my main goal,” D’Eusanio said, “to get in there and just take my talents to the field as a freshman.”

D’Eusanio attracted interest from Navy and Toledo. He also had opportunities from many local D-II programs.

D’Eusanio is a four-year letterwinner on South’s baseball team, and has played since his freshman year. As a senior, he is a team captain for the Rebels’ baseball and football teams. When he made his college decision, D’Eusanio had no hesitation about what sport he wanted to play.

“I still love football, but I had more of a passion for playing baseball at the next level,” D’Eusanio said.

Off the field, D’Eusanio will pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist. He is drawn to the profession because D’Eusanio says he’s always loved helping people. College credits earned during his high school curriculum will allow D’Eusanio to begin his studies at Youngstown State as a sophomore.

An excellent student, D’Eusanio was accepted into Youngstown State’s honors program. He carries a 4.2 grade-point average and will graduate as one of the valedictorians in South’s Class of 2018. Academic scholarships, in tandem with his baseball scholarship, awarded to D’Eusanio will cover the cost of his tuition.

At the collegiate level, South coach Steve Norris believes, D’Eusanio will be served well by his dedication and positive attitude.

“He’s not going to sit over here and pout,” Norris said. “He’s a very quiet leader, very competitive, physically gifted in baseball as you have to be to go play D-I. But the thing about him is that he has a real short memory, I think that’s important.”

D’Eusanio