Commitment To URI ‘A Dream Come True’ For Scillia

Nicolas Scillia RHP / Hamden Hall Country Day School, CT / 2026

BRANFORD, Ct. - The decision to take pitching more seriously has paid off for Nicolas Scillia with a college commitment to the University of Rhode Island.

“I was pitching in late June with the Grind and coach (David) Fischer saw me,” Scillia reflected. “Fast forward to August and I had a call with the head coach (Raphael Cerrato) on Aug. 1. We talked about myself and them seeing me pitch again. Coach Cerrato saw me throw in the fall and they had me on my visit and I got an offer.”

That was in October and the 25th-rated 2026 right-handed pitcher in New England was certain Rhode Island was the right choice for him.

“For me a lot of things stood out,” the Hamden Hall High School junior explained. “URI just got new turf which looks amazing. I like the facilities and that everything’s connected. But the biggest thing that led to my commitment is the staff. Coach Fischer and coach Cerrato believe in me. They know I come from a good travel program with the Grind. Coach Cerrato coached Michael Moras, my travel coach at New Haven. That’s how getting connected with them began.”

URI saw the 12th-rated junior RHP in Connecticut as a good piece to the program.

“Coach Fischer likes how I have a competitive nature on the mound,” Scillia related about the pitching coach with the Atlantic 10 Conference program. “They like how my arm works, how I throw the ball and how I have a good feel for my pitches.”

Boston College, Maine, Seton Hall, UMass Lowell and Northeastern are other schools that showed some sort of interest in the 5-10 155-pounder, but there were no other offers or visits other than with Rhode Island.

“This summer was big for my recruitment,” the 17-year-old said. “My travel ball team played mostly northeast events. For me it was big to pitch in front of as many eyes as I could before Aug. 1.”

Something that, arguably, was even more important in his baseball dream took place at the beginning of the year when the 30th-ranked 2026 in Connecticut made a decision that proved to be of utmost importance.

“I wasn’t serious about pitching until then,” Scillia admitted. “I did a whole throwing program with my pitching coach, Tommy Lawrence, which started it all. Since then I’ve worked hard at mastering my craft. He has been a big spark for me to take on pitching more seriously. I really like what I’m doing and Tommy has been very important to me.”

Two others are credited by Scillia with playing vital roles in helping land a scholarship to Rhode Island.

“I’ve worked with Connor David, the strength guy at the Grind, since I was 8-10 years old,” Scillia said. “Part of my journey has been to be stronger in the weight room to fill out and get bigger.

“Another influence is Michael Moras. I’ve known him since I was seven, he’s like a second father to me. He’s been so important in my life. He’s a guy I can always talk to who has helped me be a better person on and off the field.”

The hard work and advice has paid off according to the 70th-rated junior in New England.

“Velocity has been a big thing for me,” Scillia noted. “Going into my freshman year I was topping at 79 miles an hour. I got to 80-82 in the summer and my velo has gone up since then. That’s the thing I need to continue to work on before stepping on campus.

“My mechanics have also changed a ton. I’m learning how my body needs to work on the mound.”

Scillia, who carries a 3.62 GPA at Hamden Hall and is looking at a college major in business, is excited about the prospects of being a strong asset in the baseball program at the university located 80 minutes from home.

“I want to be a competitor when I step on campus,” Scillia said. “The big thing is to show them I want it and not be scared. I want to show my peers I want to be on the team. I want to make a positive impact and help URI win an Atlantic 10 championship.”

That would bring a great pleasure to Scillia, who called the feeling of a commitment “awesome” in looking back at it.

“Being a teenager in this world you see all the commitment posts and you’re happy to see them knowing all the hard work they put in,” Scillia explained. “When I threw mine up it was like … this is it. It was heartwarming to see all the congratulations. It’s definitely a dream come true.

“It’s going to be special to be part of a team,” Scillia continued. “I’m excited to be part of something, hopefully, with guys I’ll be friends with for life.”