Meet Jarrod Casey

Name, Age: Jarrod Casey, 17

Class Year: 2012

Team: Milford Legion Baseball Post 59

Sport, Position: Baseball, pitcher and outfielder    

Why is Jarrod Casey the Patch Player of the Week?

Jarrod Casey is a senior pitcher and outfielder for the and has been a key contributor to the team’s early success this summer. Casey has been pitching well this season in both of his starts, going 2-0 with a 5.23 ERA over 10 1/3 innings of work. He has allowed just a few walks while striking out 15, including 10 in his first outing of the season. In his most recent start against Main South, the left-hander threw five solid innings, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out five. This led to Post 59’s second-straight victory, and improved the club’s record to 5-2.

Casey’s also been getting the job done with the bat this season, grabbing seven hits in 17 at bats (.412 avg.) in five games. He has one double, one triple, four RBIs and had crossed the plate six times as of June 20.

Casey also played a key role this past spring for the team that went 16-5 and received a first round bye in the Central Massachusetts Division 1 tournament before being ousted by Leominster in 11 innings in the quarter finals. “It was a great season and I love that team, considering we came up short,” Casey said. “We needed everyone on that team to get where we were and it’s a shame that we lost like that, but it was a great season and we’re looking forward to next season.” Casey will return next season for the Scarlet Hawks along with fellow Post 59 members Chris Casey, J.J. Branch, Steve Morganelli and Matt Ferrelli.

Casey also played point guard for the Hawks’ basketball team and wide receiver and safety for the football team under head coach Tom Cullen. Besides playing Legion ball this summer, Casey will be getting ready for the upcoming football season, hanging out with his friends and spending his time out by the pool.

What’s led to your individual success so far this Legion season, specifically on the mound?

During the high school season I worked a lot with Coach [Steve] Manguso on getting my curveball over the plate, getting the fastball over and working on the changeup a little bit. I have a great defense behind me — both the outfield and infield — so it’s easy just to go out there and throw strikes, knowing that the defense behind me is going to make plays for me.

What’s the biggest difference in the style of play in American Legion compared to regular high school baseball?

In Legion the pitchers are little bit better. You want to do well in both [high school and Legion], but in Legion the pitching is a little bit better, so it’s a bit harder to hit the ball.

What college or professional athlete inspires you and why?

Dustin Pedroia because he goes out there and gives it his all every game. He’s not one of the biggest athletes, so he gives you hope — if you’re not big in size — that it doesn’t matter, as long as you give it your all, you have a chance.

What is your most memorable experience as an athlete so far?

I’d have to say probably going to the playoffs in football for the first time in a few years, even though we lost in the first round. (The Hawks lost to Nashoba High School in late November, ending their Super Bowl chances.)

What are your plans for the future athletically and academically?

I’ll probably go to college and either play college football or college baseball. If I had the opportunity to play either sport in college it would be football, but I think I might do baseball instead.