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Stamford Baseball Standout Commits To University Of Hartford

STAMFORD, Conn. -- Stamford pitcher Billy DeVito joined teammates of his East Coast Clippers baseball team for a post-game conference early last summer. Before his coach finished, DeVito was pulled aside to take a phone call.

Billy DeVito, a senior at Stamford High, signs a letter of intent to attend the University of Hartford and play for the school's baseball team.

Billy DeVito, a senior at Stamford High, signs a letter of intent to attend the University of Hartford and play for the school's baseball team.

Photo Credit: Contributed

“It was the coach from Hartford,’’ said DeVito, who signed a letter of intent last week to attend the school on a baseball scholarship. “I was surprised because it was so quick. He had just seen me pitch. We were still in the meeting when I got the call."

DeVito’s decision to attend the University of Hartford came shortly afterward. He also attracted interest from Boston College and the University of Massachusetts for baseball, but the three-sport standout quickly accepted the Hawks’ offer.

“I liked the campus and I liked the chemistry of the team,’’ said DeVito, who is also a basketball standout. “The coach showed me the campus and it was great. I felt at home there right from the start.”

Even before contact from coach Justin Blood, DeVito’s own research steered him toward Hartford. Blood, a former assistant coach at the University of Connecticut, is in his third year at Hartford. He led the team to a 31-23 record last spring, including a 16-7 conference mark.

Hartford also boasts one of the nation’s best classes of freshman, according to Baseball America. Three players from the 2014 team were selected in the Major League Baseball Draft. Former major league star Jeff Bagwell of the Houston Astros also played at Hartford.

“What I liked is that he was a pitcher and I feel like I can learn a lot from him,’’ DeVito said. “He worked with some great pitchers at UConn. I think it’s going to be a good fit.”

Hartford gets a promising young right-handed pitcher in DeVito, who has been a standout on the mound since Little League, where he pitched for his father, also named Billy, on the Stamford National Lione All-Star teams.

DeVito learned early how to get batters out with curveballs and changeups. Over the past two years, a growth spurt has helped him become a 6-foot, 4-inch power pitcher. 

“I’ve improved a lot with my velocity,’’ DeVito said. “Right now it tops out at 88. I feel like I’ve really improved over the past few years.”

DeVito is having a big year for the Black Knights’ football team, where he has caught 28 passes including 10 for touchdowns. He will play for the school's basketball and baseball teams and finish his local career by returning to the Stamford Babe Ruth League next summer.

With the recruiting process finished, DeVito said he’s ready to enjoy the rest of his senior year.

“I feel great about it,’’ DeVito said. “It’s just going to be fun from here on out.”

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