Sornas Excited About Going From The Island To Holy Cross

Bryan Sornas SS / 3B / Worcester Academy, MA / 2025

CHILMARK, Ma. - Living on the island of Martha’s Vineyard is not exactly the place to be when it comes to college baseball recruitment.

“It’s always a battle dealing with the ferry,” explained Bryan Sornas. “Having to drive two hours to take a 45-minute ferry is definitely challenging.”

The decision to change high schools played an important role in making the recruiting process work out and now the 18th-ranked 2025 shortstop in Massachusetts is a Holy Cross commit.

“It was a long process,” Sornas related. “Coming from Vineyard and then going to Worcester (Academy) is a big adjustment. My recruitment didn’t start until last summer with 16U. It was pretty stressful figuring out where to get recruited and where you wanted to go. I got some looks from D-II and D-III schools, then it picked up in the spring with Stonehill.

“This summer it blew up,” added Sornas, who turned 18 on Aug. 10. “Having a better idea where to go made it better for me. I could relax and just play the game once I got an offer. That made it a lot easier.”

Interest from Holy Cross began in early July while playing for the Expos travel team.

“I had a decent game and on the car ride home got a call from coach January,” Sornas reflected, in reference to Derek January with the Expos. “They came out the next weekend and after a game I got a text from head coach (Ed) Kahovec. I got on a call with him about what they’re doing and that week went on a visit. I got an offer on the visit.”

A decision did not come immediately for the 203rd-ranked senior in New England.

“For family reasons I chose to commit two weeks later,” Sornas noted. “I wanted to make sure I was happy and that my parents were happy. I couldn’t be more happy where I’m going.

“For me, the philosophy coach Kahovec has for the next couple of years was big. They’re bringing in some good guys and really wanting to make the regionals. That, along with the campus and that it’s such a beautiful school, stood out.”

A strong work ethic was a selling point to Holy Cross, according to Sornas.

“That’s something they heard from my coach,” Sornas explained. “I had good development this past season. They also liked that I was consistent in the field and that I’m reliable. Wherever they put me I can have success on the field.”

Improvement was vital in becoming a Division I commit.

“A lot of it happened in the weight room with getting bigger and stronger,” Sornas said about becoming better. “The Expos gave me a throwing program and my arm is much improved. I came in 79 in the offseason and in March at a Prep Baseball event was 88. Adding another tool to what I can do is big.”

The idea of playing at the next level has always been a thought for the 43rd-rated 2025 shortstop in New England.

“Freshman year when I was back on the island is when I started to take things seriously,” Sornas related. “It’s rare that a kid from the island plays any college sport, so I got off the island and started playing AAU ball and I switched schools to a boarding school.”

Sornas pointed to a number of coaches that were helpful in his baseball journey.

“Coach (Rich) Gilbride and January with the Expos put me in the right situation to be seen,” Sornas explained. “Russ Curran and Mac Curran with the Martha Vineyard Sharks the past five years guided me where to go. Coming to Worcester, with coach Mike Abraham, was definitely a huge jump. He made an environment that prepares you for college. He and his brother (Matt) have been a big part of my development.”

A commitment to Holy Cross was “a surreal feeling” according to Sornas.

“There are a lot of guys committing at Worcester,” the 85th-rated senior in Massachusetts said. “You see it, but never feel it until you’re the one to commit. Everyone that supported me congratulated me. It was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had.”

Sornas, who lives 21/2 hours from Holy Cross, including the ferry ride and drive, is excited about what lies ahead at the Patriot League university, where the 3.4 student at Worcester plans to major in economics.

“This allows you to play baseball and get a good education,” Sarnos concluded about being a student-athlete at Holy Cross. “As much as it’s a challenging school, it helps set you up to succeed the next four years to have a great next 40 years.”