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Becker caps memorable season with Wingate award
By Zachary Braziller June 15, 2009
Becker receives the Wingate award from PSAL baseball commissioner Bob Pertsas. Photo by Damion Reid
Nolan Becker will forever cherish his senior season. He pitched a perfect game and singed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Yale University.
His latest triumph – the PSAL Wingate winner for baseball, given to the top senior – would seem to pale in comparison to the two others. The smile on his face after receiving the award said differently.
“It’s an honor,” said Becker, dressed in a dark suit for the ceremony at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, after becoming the first Stuyvesant player to accomplish the feat. “It’s really nice to be recognized as the best in your field. It’s a good way to go out.”
The strapping, 6-foot-6 Becker said he was surprised when he was told about the recognition. Stuyvesant baseball coach John Carlesi said his star senior had a smile from ear to ear.
It was symbolic considering he was such a joy for Carlesi to coach.
His third hitter and ace left-hander, Becker led Stuyvesant to the postseason each of the last four years, including a division crown two years ago. He threw a perfect game April 8 – the first one Carlesi had been a part of – in a 10-0 victory over Manhattan Bridges, striking out all 18 batters he faced.
“It,” Carlesi said, “was just amazing. He was so determined.”
In 16 league games, Becker, 18, batted .321 with 21 RBIs, two home runs and 14 runs scored. On the mound, he was 2-2 with a 1.09 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched.
“It would’ve been nice to go farther, but we did well with the talent we had,” the honor roll student said. “We have to remember all the positives.”
Despite his immense talent and potential, Becker, blessed with a fastball in the high 80’s and improving breaking ball, was a perfect teammate. He never criticized anyone. After Stuyvesant lost to Gompers, 1-0, in the opening round of the playoffs, he was mad at himself for not doing more offensively.
Becker, who will play this summer with the Richmond County Baseball Club, said he was disappointed somewhat he wasn’t chosen in last week’s MLB amateur draft, but was likely not going to sign anyway. He is looking forward to his future at college. So is Carlesi.
“Hopefully his college coach at Yale can development him more,” he said. “I have a feeling we will be seeing him again.”
zbraziller@fiveborosports.com
His latest triumph – the PSAL Wingate winner for baseball, given to the top senior – would seem to pale in comparison to the two others. The smile on his face after receiving the award said differently.
“It’s an honor,” said Becker, dressed in a dark suit for the ceremony at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, after becoming the first Stuyvesant player to accomplish the feat. “It’s really nice to be recognized as the best in your field. It’s a good way to go out.”
The strapping, 6-foot-6 Becker said he was surprised when he was told about the recognition. Stuyvesant baseball coach John Carlesi said his star senior had a smile from ear to ear.
It was symbolic considering he was such a joy for Carlesi to coach.
His third hitter and ace left-hander, Becker led Stuyvesant to the postseason each of the last four years, including a division crown two years ago. He threw a perfect game April 8 – the first one Carlesi had been a part of – in a 10-0 victory over Manhattan Bridges, striking out all 18 batters he faced.
“It,” Carlesi said, “was just amazing. He was so determined.”
In 16 league games, Becker, 18, batted .321 with 21 RBIs, two home runs and 14 runs scored. On the mound, he was 2-2 with a 1.09 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched.
“It would’ve been nice to go farther, but we did well with the talent we had,” the honor roll student said. “We have to remember all the positives.”
Despite his immense talent and potential, Becker, blessed with a fastball in the high 80’s and improving breaking ball, was a perfect teammate. He never criticized anyone. After Stuyvesant lost to Gompers, 1-0, in the opening round of the playoffs, he was mad at himself for not doing more offensively.
Becker, who will play this summer with the Richmond County Baseball Club, said he was disappointed somewhat he wasn’t chosen in last week’s MLB amateur draft, but was likely not going to sign anyway. He is looking forward to his future at college. So is Carlesi.
“Hopefully his college coach at Yale can development him more,” he said. “I have a feeling we will be seeing him again.”
zbraziller@fiveborosports.com