OUR Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Damario: I was very excited to find the right fit. I was looking for a coaching staff at believed in me, and a program that had a vision. I wanted to be at a school that would give me the opportunity to play ultimately at the next level. I was eager to find a school that focused on development as a athlete but also as a young man.  

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Damario: Yes, I ultimately wanted to stay closer to home. I looked at schools in different areas of the country to make sure I found the right fit.  

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

Damario: Midway through my eighth grade year, I started getting noticed by power five colleges after attending [a big showcase]. Mizzou originally saw me play at the showcase, and started to follow me. For the next year or so, I would talk regularly and created a great relationship with the coaches.  

PBR: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Damario: The coaching staff at Mizzou led by Coach Kerrick Jackson, has a great vision for the program. They have all the building blocks to create an SEC championship caliber program year in and year out. They embrace brotherhood and live by the fact that nothing is earned in a conference as competitive as the SEC. 

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Damario: There were a few other schools in mine before I made my decision. The University of North Carolina and Tennessee were also in the conversation. 

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

Damario: I had the pleasure of facing Karson Milbrandt (Liberty, 2022; Nationals Draft Pick) as an opposing pitcher my freshman year and first high school game. Milbrandt has a special arm and a very bright future. The sky is the limit for him.  

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

Damario: When I first started receiving calls from high-level power five programs, that was very eye-opening as a 14 year old. This fueled my fire to one day be able to attend a power five program.  

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Damario: Firstly, learning to fail in baseball is the number one way to make major leaps in this sport. It is what you do with that failure. Whether it be at the plate or on the mound learning from your mistakes, will only make you better and ultimately lead you to the player you want to be. Secondly, never be the best player in the room always surround yourself with players that are better than you and that push you to be the player you want to be. No matter how old or how young, you can always learn something from others around you. 

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Damario: Winning the district championship last year for Rockhurst was one of the best baseball memories I have had to this point in my career. Winning that game with Rockhurst on the front of our chest and AMDG on the back of our jersey meant the world to me. Winning that game, knowing the brotherhood we had created that year was great to see all that work had finally paid off. Whether you were a senior, or a junior everyone helped us win that game and made last years season truly special.

PBR: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

Damario: I am very excited for this year’s high school season. We have a lot of returners from last year and we are very hungry to finish what we started last year. Last year the first game of the season I tore my labrum. This was very discouraging for me but I decided I wanted to play through it. I was never 100% but I gave it my all to Rockhurst. This year I am looking forward to being healthy again and helping my team win in whatever way I can. 

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