Spotlight: Nicholas LoPrinzi, Baseball
Nicholas LoPrinzi was one of the catalysts for the baseball team's cinderella run at the USCAA Small College World Series this year, finishing at a program-best fourth place. The two-time AD3I First Team All-Independent selection who also garnered AD3I Rookie of the Year honors last year batted .538 over the tournament with a team-high five RBI. In his two seasons with the Bears, the junior third baseman is a .344 career hitter and needs just 10 more hits to join the esteemed 100-hit club.
About you
Name/Number: Nicholas LoPrinzi #25
Sport: Baseball
Year: Junior
Position: Third Baseman
I came to St. Joseph's because…
To be honest St. Joseph's was not my first choice. I looked at other schools and had a few ahead of St. Joe's. However, my mind changed when I saw how close knit the baseball team was. They were basically a family and I knew that was something I wanted to be a part of.
Your major…
Accounting with a minor in Computer Information Technology
Career goals after graduation…
Go to graduate school to get my masters in accounting and then hopefully to get a job at one of the Big Four accounting firms.
My dream job is…
My dream would be to play baseball professionally somewhere. But besides baseball it would be to have a job at one of those four accounting firms.
Summer plans…
My summer is pretty busy between playing in a summer league, having a job in the city, and working out almost every day. I'm also going to the Houston Astros' stadium and Texas Rangers' stadium to see both teams play with my brother and dad.
A unique/interesting talent of mine…
I could hold my breath underwater for close to 2 minutes
If you could play another sport other than your own, what would it be…
Definitely basketball. I played it my whole life and I even made my high school team freshman year, but I gave it up after that to give all my time towards baseball.
Being a Bear...
Most memorable moment in a Bears/Lady Bears uniform…
It's easily the most recent USCAA tournament we just participated in. We made it as the 9 seed and no one gave us a chance. We were able to knock of the 3, 4, and 8 seeds and we lost by only 1 run to the two teams who were in the championship game. It was an incredible run and it's something I will never forget.
Funniest moment in practice/pre-game with Coach…
So far it has to be my freshman year when we had a game at the Patchogue campus. A few of us were talking to Coach Losche about going out to clubs in NYC and the tips he gave us were very entertaining and hilarious.
Pre-game rituals or superstitions…
I have to make sure I have a good round of batting practice to make sure my confidence is high going into the game.
My pump up song before a game is…
'Till I Collapse by Eminem
Favorite road trip so far…
Both times we traveled to Florida. Getting to spend a few days in the beautiful weather while playing baseball with my teammates. There's nothing better than that.
My goals for this season are to…
My goals for this season are to make the Skyline playoffs and try to make a run in that tournament and hopefully get an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.
Favorite feature of The Hill Center...
The fitness center. Having something that top notch that is easily accessible is awesome.
Reaction when you heard Starbucks and Chipotle was opening on Myrtle Ave…
There's a chipotle opening on Myrtle avenue … ? I know where I'm going to lunch during the year.
Speed Round…
iPhone or Android… iPhone
LeBron, Kobe or Jordan… Jordan
Yankees or Mets... Mets
Jets or Giants… Giants
Rangers or Islanders… Islanders
Beach or Pool… Beach
Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks… Dunkin Donuts
"Game of Thrones" or "Breaking Bad"… Haven't seen Game of Thrones yet, so I have to go with Breaking Bad.
Alex or Piper (OITNB)… No idea who they are
Twitter or Facebook…
On being social media famous…
Number of…
Twitter followers: 356
Facebook friends: 1738
Instagram followers: 762
The most likes you've received on an Instagram photo and what was the photo of?
177 and it was a picture of the tattoo me and my sister got for our little cousin who passed away recently.
True or false? I don't post more than one Insta a day and I secretly judge people that do.
False. I never posted more than once in a day and it doesn't matter to me if someone posts more than one in a day.
Your favorites…
Favorite sports team(s)…
NBA: Knicks
NFL: Giants
NHL: Islanders
MLB: Mets
Favorite professional athlete (past or present)…
Bryce Harper. Between his swing and his flow, he's the man.
Favorite TV show…
Blue Mountain State
Favorite SJC Professor…
Professor Bonina
Favorite SJC Staff member…
Coach [Mike] Kondel
Favorite quote/motto…
"You can't just sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." – Earl Weaver
Final thoughts…
Anything you'd like to share with all the rest of the Bears family …
Never give up. Set your goals both for your team and as an individual and don't stop until you've achieved those goals. Don't let anything get in your way and don't let anyone tell you it cannot be done. Keep fighting and keep going. Every second you're on the field or court give it everything you have. Always give 100%.
Previous Summer Spotlights:
Michael Megafu, Men's Basketball
Lauren GaNun, Women's Volleyball, Swimming & Basketball
Nolan Parr, Men's Tennis, Soccer & Basketball
Shannon Fahy, Women's Soccer & Tennis
Check back every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the summer for our next spotlight. (If any student-athletes would like to participate on a future spotlight, please e-mail amacapugay@sjcbears.com.)