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Hernando Today

Nicolini: Not Done Yet

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: July 15, 2008

If he couldn't find a way to go to college, Bryan Nicolini had planned to go to work for his father at Nature Coast Aluminum.

But the 17-year-old son of Weeki Wachee's Jim and Debbie Nicolini didn't want to be done with baseball, and it turns out baseball wasn't done with him either.

After attending several tryouts at various schools, Nicolini finally caught the eye of Pasco-Hernando Community College Head Coach Steve Winterling.

"I saw a lot of things I thought I could work with," Winterling said. "He's got upside as far as size and strength and speed. Another reason we liked him was he could do a lot of things."

As a result, Nicolini accepted a scholarship to play baseball at P-HCC, ensuring that the recently graduated Springstead High third baseman/pitcher will continue both his education and his playing days.

"It feels good," Nicolini said. "I really thought it'd be hard for me, almost impossible because of my GPA. I thought maybe I'd be able to walk on but I was surprised to get a scholarship."

Tale of two schools

Nicolini's first three high school campaigns didn't take place at Springstead, but rather with Central High.

He never played a game on the junior varsity level, starting right away for the Bears. He hit .261 as a freshman, going 0-2 with a 3.89 earned run average in three games pitched.

His batting average decreased his sophomore season to .224, before bouncing back to a team-high .345 as a junior. On the mound he went 0-1 with 6.68 ERA as a sophomore and 0-3 with a 6.33 ERA as a junior.
Nicolini also earned Hernando Today All-County honors as a junior. However he experienced very little team success at Central, as the Bears went a combined 17-56 over that three-year span.

Wanting to take a construction course offered at Springstead, something that could help him if he went to work for his dad after high school, Nicolini opted to switch to the Mariner Boulevard campus.

"At first I didn't know how it would turn out," Nicolini said. "I didn't know if it'd be a good thing or not.

"After the season I'm glad I made my choice. That was a lot more enjoyable. It was just more exciting at Springstead."

Indeed the move paid dividends individually, as he hit .419 with three home runs, 29 runs scored and 23 driven in, while going 3-3 with a 2.65 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 42.1 innings.

Even more, Nicolini experienced almost as many wins in one season as he had in three at Central. The Eagles went 16-11, reaching the second round of the district tournament before losing to eventual champion Pasco High.

"He was a nice addition to our club," said Springstead Head Coach Frank Vitale when Nicolini was again named to the Hernando Today All-County squad. "He fit right in, stepped in and did what he does best which is hit the ball.

"It changed our make-up tremendously. It added another solid bat to our line-up. He protected some of the guys in our line-up. Anytime you add somebody like that, it's going to help the team out."

It may have also helped Nicolini set himself up for the future. The admitted gearhead wants to work around cars once he finishes up with school and baseball.

"If I have chance to get another scholarship with another university, I might take it," Nicolini said. "But if not I want to get my certificate in custom painting and refinishing (cars) and start working.

"I think these next two years maybe I'll do better. Anything that happens, I'll take after these two years."

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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