MIDDLESEX BASEBALL CAPTAIN CHRISTIAN PETRILLO SIGNS WITH GOLDEY-BEACOM

Middlesex College captain Christian Petrillo has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his baseball and academic career at Goldey-Beacom College, an NCAA Division II school in Delaware.

The centerfielder from North Brunswick is enjoying a stellar season for the Colts as their leadoff batter and centerfielder.

"I chose Goldey-Beacom because I felt it was a perfect fit for me," said Petrillo. "I play the game with a lot of energy and excitement and looking at the baseball program at GBC I noticed each player carried that same passion for the game. After having my first conversation with head coach Tom Riley, I knew I wanted to play for him right away and continue to make a great player-coach connection."

Petrillo has been one of the main catalysts for a Middlesex team that has been one of the most successful offensive squads in the nation on the NJCAA Division III level.

Currently, Petrillo leads all of Division III with 30 stolen bases and has only been caught stealing three times. He is also fifth in the nation with 41 runs scored and 15th in the country with 39 hits. He's currently batting .351 (39-111) while getting on base at a .451 clip. 

"Christian brings so much to the program in terms of his athleticism and energy on the field, his overall enthusiasm for competition and being successful," said Middlesex Head Coach CJ Mooney. "His best assets are his speed and his baseball instincts. He is an excellent base runner because of his ability to get great jumps on the bases when stealing either second or third base."

Petrillo has had a number of outstanding games for the Colts, who stand at 21-11 and are one of just three Division III teams in Region XIX with at least 20 wins. Petrillo has had 13 multi-hit games, including three three-hit games. Petrillo has also had ten games with at least two stolen bases. He enjoyed a 12-game hitting streak earlier this season.

While his on-field accomplishments and abilities have been noticable, Petrillo's leadership has played a key role in the Colts success this season. The Colts are a perfect 7-0 in one-run games this season and that kind of success does not come without confidence and leadership, two traits that Petrillo brings to the diamond daily.

"This has been a memorable season for me already, and I owe all of that to my teammates," said Petrillo. "Since the beginning of the fall season, this team immediately connected and grew as a family from day one. We pick each other up when we are down, help one another, and have each other's backs through anything. I'm looking forward to continuing to make endless memories with these guys going into the second half of the season. We only have one year together as a team, but I know after this season I can come to them with anything and they will be there for me, and vice versa." 

In addition to his success on offense, Mooney lauded Petrillo for his play in centerfield.

"His speed in centerfield allows him to cover a large amount of ground," said Mooney. "Whether the ball is over his head, falling in front, or in either gap, his first steps allow him to go run down the ball. These skills all stem from his baseball instincts that you cannot teach."

Goldey-Beacom competes in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference and is currently in second place in the CACC South with a 6-2 division record. Last season, the Lightning went 22-9 and qualified for the NCAA Division II tournament where they placed third in the East Region. 

Petrillo will be well-prepared to make the jump from Middlesex to the four-year scholarship level. Mooney makes it a goal of his program to provide his a students an experience as close to the four-year college as he can.

"Our goal as a coaching staff is to run our program as closely aligned with a four-year College as we can," said Mooney. "We obviously do not have the same resources that a four-year school would have, but that does not stop us from treating it the same way. Our competitive fall season, mandatory weight training and condition sessions in the winter, academic study hall responsibilities, and a 50+ game spring season, all play into the growth and development of the individuals who are in our program. We also use our social media platforms and other online baseball recruiting resources to help our athletes gain exposure to other programs in the state and country. We film their hitting, defense, and/or pitching, will give our athletes updated film to send out to college coaches for recruiting purposes."

Petrillo agreed that Middlesex has prepared him well for the next steps in his life. 

"If it wasn't for Middlesex College, I wouldn't have had the second chance of fulfilling my dreams to become a collegiate athlete," said Petrillo. "I wasn't the best student before coming here; all I cared about was baseball. Middlesex taught me that there's more to sports than just playing the game itself. It taught me to be the best athlete, person, and student I can be. Middlesex gave me a spotlight to prove to myself that I can be a successful student as well as a successful baseball player, and I'm forever grateful to have come here and be given that opportunity."

Before moving on, Petrillo has unfinished business for the 2022 season. The Colts still have 25 regular season games remaining before the Region XIX playoffs.