Sullivan Looking Forward To Playing At Alabama

BARBERTON - With eighth-grade school year near an end, Shawn Sullivan understands that college baseball is still a long way off. Still, the soon-to-be Walsh Jesuit freshman knew what he was looking for in a school at the next level.

“I like the south and the warmer weather,” related Sullivan about a major selling point in making a college decision.

Schools like Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio State were being considered but Alabama turned out to be the right fit for Sullivan, who just turned 15 years of age on May 12.

“They saw me in Texas early in the spring of this year,” Sullivan noted. “I enjoyed the coaches and felt comfortable with them.”

Alabama assistant coach Matt Reida, a Kentucky graduate who previously coached at Xavier, then went to Cincinnati to check out the two-way prospect.

“They ended up offering me and I took a week to think it over,” Sullivan explained. “The pieces fit together and I said yes. The coaches I play for know the Alabama coaches and they speak highly of them. In talking to them, I really felt comfortable.”

There was more that stood out.

“They liked me as a two-way player, they liked my pitching, hitting and fielding,” Sullivan said. “Overall they liked everything about me.”

The feeling was mutual.

“I liked how comfortable I felt with them,” Sullivan said. “I like the facilities there and that it’s a school in the SEC.”

The idea of playing college baseball escalated for Sullivan last fall.

“I saw some college games at Minute Maid Park and felt it was a place I belong,” pointed out Sullivan, who witnessed schools like Tennessee, LSU and Texas play. “It was then I realized I really want to do college baseball and keep going from there.”

Alabama made it a reality.

“For me it was all about the comfort level,” Sullivan said. “How much I fell in love with the place and the team, how Alabama had high respect for me as a two-way player and how my coaches spoke highly of them.”

The need to keep improving is understood by the 5-11 165-pounder, who is looked at as a pitcher/outfielder by Alabama.

“I’ve been working out a lot and working on my craft,” explained Sullivan, who has hit 87.3 with his fastball while producing an exit velocity of 96 . “A big focus for me is in getting bigger and more flexible.”

Biology and engineering are potential majors according to Sullivan, who pointed out how enjoyable the recruiting process was for him.

“Overall it was a great experience with how it all went,” Sullivan related. “I liked all the phone calls with the coaches, I just felt in my heart that Alabama was right for me. Now that I’m committed, I need to keep working and working.”

In making the decision official, Sullivan admits to a special feeling.

“There was so much excitement, I couldn’t stop smiling,” Sullivan noted. “Deep down in my heart I knew I was making the right decision and I can't wait to get there.”

There is a lot to look forward to at Alabama.

“The whole experience is what I can’t wait to be a part of,” Sullivan concluded. “I love baseball, even the ups and downs. I look forward to going there and playing the game I love.”