Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh Baseball Senior Reflections
4/28/2017 9:14:00 AM | Baseball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh baseball program will recognize its seven-member senior class prior to game one of Saturday's doubleheader against Army West Point at J. David Walker Field. The Lehigh class of 2017 will go down as one of the most successful classes in program history as they have averaged over 23 wins per season and their 93 total victories is currently tied for third in program history among four-year senior classes. This group of seniors has made three-straight Patriot League Tournament appearances and helped deliver the program its second Patriot League title when they won it all in 2015.
With Senior Day festivities set for Saturday, Lehighsports.com caught up with the seven members of the Lehigh baseball class of 2017.
#1 David Young – Infield – Mullica Hill, N.J. – Finance
What's your favorite Lehigh Baseball memory up until this point? Why?
DY: My favorite memory without a doubt is winning the Patriot League Championship in 2015. I've had a lot of great memories at Lehigh, but all of us came here to win championships and when you get to see all your hard work pay off there is truly no better feeling.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
DY: I think our class is pretty close knit. We have gotten along very well since day one and our bonds have gotten stronger over the years. We have been through a lot as a class over the past four years and there is no other group of guys I would rather have shared this experience with. I'm glad to call all of my fellow seniors my brothers.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
DY: Going into Senior Day I am excited that we, as a group, have a lot to play for. It is great to reflect on your career, but I'm sure all of us are much more focused on taking care of business on the field. I think once everything is said and done, there will be a lot for us to reflect on as a class.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Baseball?
DY: Out of everything, I'm going to miss being around the team the most. The great thing about Lehigh Baseball are the relationships that are built with your teammates. Just being able to be a part of something bigger than yourself is always a great feeling and the daily grind will be something that I really miss.
What are your postgraduate plans?
DY: After graduation I will be moving to Washington D.C. to start my career as an analyst on the Leveraged Lending and Life Science Lending team at MidCap Financial.
#7 Patrick Donnelly – Third Base – Bethlehem, Pa. – Journalism and Communications
What's your favorite Lehigh Baseball memory up until this point? Why?
PD: Winning the Patriot League Championship my sophomore year is definitely my favorite memory so far. There is no better feeling than dog piling with your boys after accomplishing your goal.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
PD: We've become brothers. I would do anything for these guys and the past four years together have been incredible. We'll all still be very close after we're done here at Lehigh.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
PD: It feels like yesterday that we were freshmen. These four years have flown by, but I've made memories that will last a lifetime. I'm not ready for it to be over yet.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Baseball?
PD: I'll miss competing on the diamond with my best friends. Throughout my four years, I've had the best teammates and the people I've met through Lehigh have changed my life.
What are your postgraduate plans?
PD: I am planning to start a career in marketing.
#10 Stephen Fitzgerald – Outfield – Penn Valley, Pa. – Marketing
What's your favorite Lehigh Baseball memory up until this point? Why?
SF: My favorite Lehigh Baseball memory up until this point was when we won the Patriot League Championship in 2015. That's our goal going into every season and it was an unbelievable feeling when we dogpiled at Navy. After winning the PLC, we got an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Going to the Regional in Baton Rouge was an experience that I will never forget.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
SF: They're my closest buddies and I would do anything for them. We have all been very tight from the day we got here in August of 2013. I'm going to miss them a lot after we graduate.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
SF: I'm not ready for it to be over. It has been an incredible experience to be a part of the Lehigh Baseball program. I can't believe how fast these past four years have gone by.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Baseball?
SF: I'm going to miss being around my friends every day. We spend so much time together at the field, on the road and off the field, but I wouldn't want it any other way. It's going to be different next year when I'm not with them.
What are your postgraduate plans?
SF: First and foremost, I plan on lowering my golf handicap. Hopefully, I will get a job at some point as well.
#19 Jacen Nalesnik – Outfield – Lehighton, Pa. – History
What's your favorite Lehigh Baseball memory up until this point? Why?
JN: Winning the league two years ago. It was a goal that the seniors set for the team and it was nice to achieve that goal for them in their last year.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
JN: Very close. I love each and every one of my teammates, but I will always have a special bond with my senior classmates. I'm definitely going to miss practicing and playing with them. I'm never going to forget the many sleeves of Oreos that we went through before games in order to hit bombs.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
JN: Excited. We put ourselves in a difficult position, but we still have a chance to make the playoffs. I have one thought going through my head today: "Win the series and make the playoffs." Once that happens, anything can happen in the playoffs.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Baseball?
JN: Working to get better with my teammates every day.
What are your postgraduate plans?
JN: I plan on being a graduate assistant at Lehigh while working on a Master of Education in Social Studies degree.
#25 Connor Donovan – First Base/Pitcher – Yardley, Pa. – Finance
What's your favorite Lehigh Baseball memory up until this point? Why?
CD: My favorite Lehigh baseball memory up to this point is winning the Patriot League Championship in 2015. Our team faced a lot of adversity throughout the year and to see all of our hard work and perseverance pay off was really special. The feeling of winning a championship is indescribable and I will cherish our Championship rings the rest of my life. Going down to play at LSU in the NCAA Regionals was a really cool experience and the environment was one-of-a- kind.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
CD: Our senior class is a very close group. It's been awesome being teammates with these guys for the past four years and I really couldn't ask for a better, funnier and more determined group of guys. It's unfortunate that this will be our last year being on the field together, but I'm sure that we will all remain very close friends in the future.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
CD: I really can't believe that it's Senior Day already. I feel like my time here at Lehigh has flown by, but I've enjoyed and learned from every second of it. I've had a lot of great experiences at Lehigh, but it is not over yet. We have a big weekend ahead of us and I know that we're all focused on making this last season a very special one.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Baseball?
CD: I'm going to miss my teammates. They have made every day in the past four years fun and I'm going to miss that feeling of showing up at the locker room and seeing all of them every day. From stretching circles, to bus rides, to overnight hotel trips, there isn't one thing that I won't miss about being with this team.
What are your postgraduate plans?
CD: I will be starting as an analyst with Massey Quick Simon Wealth Management and Investment Consulting in Morristown, NJ.
#28 John Scarr – Pequannock, N.J. – Marketing
What's your favorite Lehigh Baseball memory up until this point? Why?
JS: Winning a Patriot League Championship. There is no better feeling than accomplishing a year-long goal and winning a championship for our seniors and all of the Lube family pulling for us.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
JS: We are one big family and I know these will be my best friends for the rest of my life.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
JS: It is definitely surreal. I can't believe these four years have went this fast and I am blessed to be a part of a great group of guys. I'm happy I spent my last four years here. I gave it my best shot and good Lord willing, things worked out.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Baseball?
JS: I am going to miss my teammates the most, but also stepping out on that diamond every day doing the thing I've loved doing for the past 18 years of my life.
What are your postgraduate plans?
JS: Currently in the process of pursuing a career in the fields of marketing, sales, and advertising.
#36 Matt Kozemchak – Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – Marketing
What's your favorite Lehigh Baseball memory up until this point? Why?
MK: Winning the Patriot League Championship my sophomore year. We had worked for that for so long and had just missed winning the previous year, so it was awesome.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
MK: We are very close as a class both on the field and off of it. We started right off the bat freshman year getting comfortable with each other and it has clicked since then.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
MK: It's crazy that it's senior year already. I had Tommy John surgery in the fall so I am redshirting and returning next year. People always tell you that it's the fastest four years of your life and I couldn't agree more with that statement right now.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Baseball?
MK: I will miss my senior class next year the most because they are some of my best friends and it won't be the same without them. I am going to miss being with the guys every day and working collectively toward a common goal.
What are your postgraduate plans?
MK: I will be returning for a fifth year and playing after having Tommy John surgery last fall.
With Senior Day festivities set for Saturday, Lehighsports.com caught up with the seven members of the Lehigh baseball class of 2017.
#1 David Young – Infield – Mullica Hill, N.J. – Finance
What's your favorite Lehigh Baseball memory up until this point? Why?
DY: My favorite memory without a doubt is winning the Patriot League Championship in 2015. I've had a lot of great memories at Lehigh, but all of us came here to win championships and when you get to see all your hard work pay off there is truly no better feeling.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
DY: I think our class is pretty close knit. We have gotten along very well since day one and our bonds have gotten stronger over the years. We have been through a lot as a class over the past four years and there is no other group of guys I would rather have shared this experience with. I'm glad to call all of my fellow seniors my brothers.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
DY: Going into Senior Day I am excited that we, as a group, have a lot to play for. It is great to reflect on your career, but I'm sure all of us are much more focused on taking care of business on the field. I think once everything is said and done, there will be a lot for us to reflect on as a class.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Baseball?
DY: Out of everything, I'm going to miss being around the team the most. The great thing about Lehigh Baseball are the relationships that are built with your teammates. Just being able to be a part of something bigger than yourself is always a great feeling and the daily grind will be something that I really miss.
What are your postgraduate plans?
DY: After graduation I will be moving to Washington D.C. to start my career as an analyst on the Leveraged Lending and Life Science Lending team at MidCap Financial.
#7 Patrick Donnelly – Third Base – Bethlehem, Pa. – Journalism and Communications
What's your favorite Lehigh Baseball memory up until this point? Why?
PD: Winning the Patriot League Championship my sophomore year is definitely my favorite memory so far. There is no better feeling than dog piling with your boys after accomplishing your goal.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
PD: We've become brothers. I would do anything for these guys and the past four years together have been incredible. We'll all still be very close after we're done here at Lehigh.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
PD: It feels like yesterday that we were freshmen. These four years have flown by, but I've made memories that will last a lifetime. I'm not ready for it to be over yet.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Baseball?
PD: I'll miss competing on the diamond with my best friends. Throughout my four years, I've had the best teammates and the people I've met through Lehigh have changed my life.
What are your postgraduate plans?
PD: I am planning to start a career in marketing.
#10 Stephen Fitzgerald – Outfield – Penn Valley, Pa. – Marketing
What's your favorite Lehigh Baseball memory up until this point? Why?
SF: My favorite Lehigh Baseball memory up until this point was when we won the Patriot League Championship in 2015. That's our goal going into every season and it was an unbelievable feeling when we dogpiled at Navy. After winning the PLC, we got an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Going to the Regional in Baton Rouge was an experience that I will never forget.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
SF: They're my closest buddies and I would do anything for them. We have all been very tight from the day we got here in August of 2013. I'm going to miss them a lot after we graduate.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
SF: I'm not ready for it to be over. It has been an incredible experience to be a part of the Lehigh Baseball program. I can't believe how fast these past four years have gone by.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Baseball?
SF: I'm going to miss being around my friends every day. We spend so much time together at the field, on the road and off the field, but I wouldn't want it any other way. It's going to be different next year when I'm not with them.
What are your postgraduate plans?
SF: First and foremost, I plan on lowering my golf handicap. Hopefully, I will get a job at some point as well.
#19 Jacen Nalesnik – Outfield – Lehighton, Pa. – History
What's your favorite Lehigh Baseball memory up until this point? Why?
JN: Winning the league two years ago. It was a goal that the seniors set for the team and it was nice to achieve that goal for them in their last year.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
JN: Very close. I love each and every one of my teammates, but I will always have a special bond with my senior classmates. I'm definitely going to miss practicing and playing with them. I'm never going to forget the many sleeves of Oreos that we went through before games in order to hit bombs.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
JN: Excited. We put ourselves in a difficult position, but we still have a chance to make the playoffs. I have one thought going through my head today: "Win the series and make the playoffs." Once that happens, anything can happen in the playoffs.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Baseball?
JN: Working to get better with my teammates every day.
What are your postgraduate plans?
JN: I plan on being a graduate assistant at Lehigh while working on a Master of Education in Social Studies degree.
#25 Connor Donovan – First Base/Pitcher – Yardley, Pa. – Finance
What's your favorite Lehigh Baseball memory up until this point? Why?
CD: My favorite Lehigh baseball memory up to this point is winning the Patriot League Championship in 2015. Our team faced a lot of adversity throughout the year and to see all of our hard work and perseverance pay off was really special. The feeling of winning a championship is indescribable and I will cherish our Championship rings the rest of my life. Going down to play at LSU in the NCAA Regionals was a really cool experience and the environment was one-of-a- kind.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
CD: Our senior class is a very close group. It's been awesome being teammates with these guys for the past four years and I really couldn't ask for a better, funnier and more determined group of guys. It's unfortunate that this will be our last year being on the field together, but I'm sure that we will all remain very close friends in the future.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
CD: I really can't believe that it's Senior Day already. I feel like my time here at Lehigh has flown by, but I've enjoyed and learned from every second of it. I've had a lot of great experiences at Lehigh, but it is not over yet. We have a big weekend ahead of us and I know that we're all focused on making this last season a very special one.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Baseball?
CD: I'm going to miss my teammates. They have made every day in the past four years fun and I'm going to miss that feeling of showing up at the locker room and seeing all of them every day. From stretching circles, to bus rides, to overnight hotel trips, there isn't one thing that I won't miss about being with this team.
What are your postgraduate plans?
CD: I will be starting as an analyst with Massey Quick Simon Wealth Management and Investment Consulting in Morristown, NJ.
#28 John Scarr – Pequannock, N.J. – Marketing
What's your favorite Lehigh Baseball memory up until this point? Why?
JS: Winning a Patriot League Championship. There is no better feeling than accomplishing a year-long goal and winning a championship for our seniors and all of the Lube family pulling for us.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
JS: We are one big family and I know these will be my best friends for the rest of my life.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
JS: It is definitely surreal. I can't believe these four years have went this fast and I am blessed to be a part of a great group of guys. I'm happy I spent my last four years here. I gave it my best shot and good Lord willing, things worked out.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Baseball?
JS: I am going to miss my teammates the most, but also stepping out on that diamond every day doing the thing I've loved doing for the past 18 years of my life.
What are your postgraduate plans?
JS: Currently in the process of pursuing a career in the fields of marketing, sales, and advertising.
#36 Matt Kozemchak – Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – Marketing
What's your favorite Lehigh Baseball memory up until this point? Why?
MK: Winning the Patriot League Championship my sophomore year. We had worked for that for so long and had just missed winning the previous year, so it was awesome.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
MK: We are very close as a class both on the field and off of it. We started right off the bat freshman year getting comfortable with each other and it has clicked since then.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
MK: It's crazy that it's senior year already. I had Tommy John surgery in the fall so I am redshirting and returning next year. People always tell you that it's the fastest four years of your life and I couldn't agree more with that statement right now.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Baseball?
MK: I will miss my senior class next year the most because they are some of my best friends and it won't be the same without them. I am going to miss being with the guys every day and working collectively toward a common goal.
What are your postgraduate plans?
MK: I will be returning for a fifth year and playing after having Tommy John surgery last fall.
Players Mentioned
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