Yale grad DeSantis is a hit on, off field

By NANCY MORGAN

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 10, 2001

Excelling in academics and athletics, R.D. DeSantis (Dunedin) wrapped up a stellar career at Yale University this month.

The history and political science graduate earned a 3.75 GPA and captained the baseball team his senior year.

DeSantis was named to the 2001 Verizon Academic All-District University team and received honorable mention on the All-Ivy squad.

"Some of our students struggle when they first come to Yale," said John Stupor, the Ivy League school's baseball coach. "When R.D. came here, his academic credentials were beyond reproach."

DeSantis credits good study skills he learned early for his ability to balance a rigorous class schedule and gruelling practice regime for baseball.

"I viewed it all as more of a challenge," DeSantis said. "One thing I decided was that I wouldn't be like the stereotype athlete that didn't do well in school."

Since his freshman year, DeSantis has made A or A-minus grades. A top-10 percent finish in his graduating class convinced DeSantis that his dedication and study skills paid off.

When he was elected by his teammates as captain of the Bulldogs his final season, the outfielder heartily accepted the honor and was praised by Stupor for his efforts.

"Being voted by your peers says a lot of what they think of you," Stupor said. "R.D. has never been afraid of hard work, and being captain is a big deal. It is time demanding and involves leading off-season workouts, disciplining within the ranks and attending some social functions."

Yale finished the season 12-22 overall and was 6-14 in the Ivy League. DeSantis led the team in batting with a .336 average, was first in hits (40) and second in doubles (7) and RBI (18). For the third consecutive year, he committed just one error. "I've always been a pretty good hitter and found it pretty natural," DeSantis said. "As an outfielder, you basically need to just cover your territory. That's different from playing the infield."

This summer, DeSantis is going to work some of the baseball camps Stupor will have at Yale. After a brief trip home, DeSantis will begin his new career as an American History teacher and assistant baseball coach at a school in Georgia.

MORE BASEBALL: Corey Slavik (Boca Ciega) finished his career at Wake Forest with a .331 batting average and as the third highest in runs scored (61) and fourth in homers (10). The Chicago Cubs selected the third baseman in the 10th round of the recent major league draft.

Peter Nystrom (Dunedin) batted .800 with 8 hits and 4 RBI for Florida in the NCAA Regional Tournament in Miami. The senior finished the season with the team's third highest average (.353) and second most RBI (48). Fellow Gator Aaron Sobieraj (Dunedin) contributed a .277 average.

Despite rehabing from a stress fracture in the back most of his final season at Clemson, Patrick Boyd (CCC) was drafted in the seventh round by the Dodgers.

South Florida senior Bill Nahorodny (Clearwater) connected for a career-high eighth home run in a 7-2 win over Winthrop in the NCAA Regional in North Carolina.

USF's Mike Eylward (Clearwater) finished his season with .335 average. Jeremy Kurella (Dunedin/Northwestern) batted .401 this season with 7 home runs. The senior infielder, named a third-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball, was drafted by the Phillies.

Honorable Freshman All-American status was awarded to Jeff Probst (CCC) at FSU. He started all 42 games and played shortstop and second and third base. Probst hit .267 and was chosen to the NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team in Tallahassee.

Chris Maggi (Countryside) finished his junior season at Elon College with a .250 average. TENNIS: Christa Grey (Seminole) compiled a 76-42 singles record in her four years at Georgia.

Grey played a key role in the Bulldogs' Southeastern Conference championships the last two seasons and NCAA title this year. She was recognized as a Scholar Athlete at Georgia and will be teaching at Knoxville Racquet Club in Tennessee.

Grey's younger sister, Lori (Seminole), earned a No. 56 ITA ranking, accumulated a 20-8 singles record in her first two seasons at Georgia and was named for the second consecutive year to the All-American team.

Senior Nigel Mitten (Thom Howard) led UNC-Greensboro to its first Southern Conference title in four seasons with a 7-3 singles record at No. 2 and 9-1 mark in No. 3 doubles.

Reinaldo Valor (Clearwater) completed his first year at N.C. State with a 9-12 singles record and 9-8 mark in No. 1 doubles.

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