Reitano embraces new role with Trojans
By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on May 16, 2014 1:48 PM
aetzler@newsargus.com
MOUNT OLIVE -- Bradon Reitano didn't know what to expect this season.
Last season, he protected All-American Geno Escalante and all-Southeast Region second-team Jermaine Berry in the University of Mount Olive lineup. Each hitter experienced a terrific 2012 campaign at the plate, but didn't see many pitches to hit in 2013.
Reitano did.
And he made opposing pitchers pay by batting .361 with 10 home runs and 62 RBI on his way to earning first-team All-America honors from the National College Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA).
As the 2014 season approached, Reitano knew he wouldn't benefit from having Escalante and Berry in the lineup since both graduated. It was his turn to be "the guy." Every team already knew about the All-American, and would be mindful about how they pitched to him.
Reitano understood he'd be an integral cog in the machine if UMO was to have any success with a large crop of new starters on the field.
"I just wanted to stick with being the player I am, and do the things I know how to do," he said.
Reitano definitely knows how to hit. He swung the stick to the tune of a .385 average that included 14 home runs and 66 RBI. The senior also swiped 18 bases.
"I think I matured a lot on and off the field," said Reitano, who was named the Conference Carolinas player-of-the-year and became the program's first three-time all-conference selection since assistant coach Jesse Lancaster accomplished the feat.
"The coaches have helped me a lot in that sense and made me realize I can't put too much pressure on myself ... And I couldn't have done it without those guys (the team). So I give them a lot of credit, but I guess myself a little credit too."
Reitano benefited greatly from former University of Georgia first baseman Rob Shipman and former Auburn outfielder Jay Gonzalez. Gonzalez handled the lead-off duties and Shipman has been a major protector of Reitano in the batting order.
"They both understand their roles," Reitano said. "Jay knows what to do as a lead-off man and gets on base a lot, and Rob takes some of the pressure off as a big run producer, allows me to see some more fastballs."
Reitano admits with the new faces on the team it took a while for everyone to understand their roles. He said some players didn't really figure it out until about midway through the season.
But now the Trojans are riding a 23-game win streak and suddenly Reitano and the rest of the team know exactly what they expect.
"You don't come here for personal goals," Reitano said. "You can have some personal goals in the back of your mind, but you come here to help the team to win."