Harrison Alumni Report: Charlie Galasso

Charlie Galasso wasn't heavily recruited after his senior year of high school baseball. In fact, if it hadn't been for his passion for the game, his baseball career may have ended years ago.

In his senior season for the Huskies, Galasso was the team's leadoff hitter, batting .508, and was one of the best pitchers on the squad. He was also the starting second basemen and the team's captain.

"Charlie was a solid player in high school," said former teammate Zach Eklund. "He was clutch when he needed to be and he always played his heart out."

Galasso was one of the better players on the Huskies in 2009, but was not highly recruited coming out of high school. It was up to him to contact the coaching staffs of different colleges and baseball teams. Finally, Galasso found Pace University. The school offered him the academic and athletic challenges he was looking for, and it was also close to his home in Silver Lake.

"I was recruited but not heavily," said Galasso. "I had contacted the coach first but after a while there was definitely a mutual interest."

In his first year with the Pace Setters Galasso was used primarily off the bench as a utility infielder. In ten games and only fourteen at-bats Galasso hit .214 with three runs and two RBIs. This season he was used primarily as a defensive replacement for both middle in field positions. At the end of the year he earned a fielding percentage of .900 with only one error all season.

Galasso admittedly went through some growing pains in his first year of college baseball.

"Baseball in college differs because it is just so much faster, everything is faster," Galasso said. "It takes some getting used to, but you pick it up pretty fast. Socially you really need to learn what is more important to you and balance your work with baseball and your social life."

Pace University is graduating nine players from last year's team, so the opportunity for playing time will be there next year. If Galasso's offensive game can catch up to his defensive play he could find some opportunities to prove himself next year.