Doyle 'Thrilled And Honored To Be A Chanticleer'

DERRY, N.H. - Being the second-rated uncommitted 2022 left-handed pitcher in the nation was not a concern for Liam Doyle.

“I knew the right offer at the right time would come and I was confident I’d make the right decision,” Doyle said.

The Pinkerton Academy senior believes that has been accomplished with a commitment to Coastal Carolina.

“Their 2022 class needed a left-handed pitcher,” Doyle related about what the Sun Belt Conference program saw in him. “They like my mechanics and see things they can fix and I’m a very coachable kid.”

Initially, Coastal did not have enough money to make the offer needed to appeal to the 6-2 178-pounder, but that outlook changed after a second look at Doyle during an event in Florida back in early October.

“They were able to raise the offer,” the 47th-ranked senior southpaw in the country reflected. “They talked it over with me and my family and it didn’t take long to make a decision after that.”

The 17-year-old found a lot to like about going to school and playing baseball at the university in Conway, S.C.

“It’s down south, they have a very close coaching staff and I have a chance to play with a player (Aidan Quinn) I played with on the Red Sox Scout Team that I liked,” Doyle explained. “I hope to play as a freshman when I get there.”

A good academic fit also stood out to Doyle, who had offers from nearly 20 colleges, including visits to Missouri and Miami, Fla. along with numerous other Power 5 schools.

“I just liked Coastal a bit more,” noted Doyle, who also considered Connecticut if he had stayed in the northeast. “I like the coaches and the chance I will be able to play as a freshman.”

An improved game helped attract schools to the second-ranked left-handed pitcher in New England.

“I’ve been working on my craft in the gym,” Doyle pointed out. “My work ethic is something people don’t always get a chance to see in me. I’ve been trying to get better and better every day.”

The opportunity to be part of a program in the south is major in the eyes of the hard-throwing lefty.

“Playing baseball a full year … you can never do that in New Hampshire,” Doyle noted. “That’s the biggest thing for me. Competition is also big. I’ve played a lot in Florida and Georgia and I love that kind of competition.”

A national championship back in 2016 is something many people think about when it comes to Coastal Carolina baseball.

“They use it as a selling tool, it’s a huge thing for them,” Doyle  said. “Winning like that shows how much they care about their players. You’re not always going to have the best players but they’ve been able to win championships.”

The sixth ranked 2022 in New England has been able to relive that championship feeling.

“I didn’t watch it live but I’ve been watching it since then on Youtube,” Doyle related. “I love how much every player cared about that team and how hard they worked. Everyone looked like they were having fun and wanted to be there.”

Doyle looks forward to being part of that kind of experience at Coastal.

“I can’t wait to get on campus, be part of a family and make a run for a national championship,” explained Doyle, whose New Hampshire home is a 21/2-hour flight and 15-minute drive away from the university. “They’ve won in the past and I’m hoping to do that again.”

Being far from home is not a concern.

“It’s not going to be hard for me,” Doyle pointed out. “It will take a little adapting to put it all behind me, but I’m looking forward to it.”

The end of a long recruiting process brings a sense of relief to the Pinkerton Academy senior.

“I’ve always wanted to play college baseball and it’s a dream for it to become a reality,” Doyle said. “Freshman year I was talking to coaches and was given my first offer. It’s been a long grind with some stressful points but I’m thrilled and honored to be a Chanticleer.”