Powers Excited About A Future At UMass-Amherst

HADDAM NECK, Ct. - A year ago, Callen Powers was 5-10 and 170 pounds. The Haddam Killingworth High School junior is now 6-4, 200. The 16-year-old is also a college commit after making Massachusetts-Amherst his future destination.

“The area is in a perfect spot and I felt like home on campus,” the 24th-rated 2023 shortstop in New England related. “It just felt like the right place to be when I was there and would be where I would end up at.”

The projectability of Powers is one thing that stood out to UMass.

“That was the biggest thing,” Powers noted. “They like how I look projectability-wise. They also like that my velocity has increased. Along with that crazy growth spurt, I hit the weight room a lot.

“For me, pitching was always location and confidence, my velocity was not off the charts. But I’ve seen improvements there, from the high-70s last winter to the mid-80s now. Strength training really helped me. Once I grew into my body I felt it all come together.”

The chance to be a two-way player at the Atlantic 10 Conference school was also vital in the college decision.

“For me it was a big factor,” Powers pointed out. “Being two-way gives me a lot more opportunities to play. It was a big part of my recruitment and I couldn’t pass it up.

“Not too many of the other schools I was conversing with talked about two-way,” added Powers, who had interest from Georgetown, Bryant, Rutgers, Northeastern and UConn. “But I felt at the next level I could be a two-way and UMass saw that in me.”

The recruiting process, while stressful at times, was enjoyable in the eyes of the 140th-rated 2023 in New England.

“It was pretty exciting,” Powers said. “I started talking to schools early on. That comes along with stress, but it was nothing I couldn’t handle. I had a great group in my corner helping out, coaches and my entire family which was nice. This is something I can share with my entire family.”

Coaches Marcus Hill, Anthony Ruglio, Kevin Rival, Nate Silas and Mark Brookes were all influential in helping make it possible.

“They allowed me to take my game to the next level,” Powers pointed out. “They told me to compete like a dog and they gave me so much drive.”

Powers also credited Prep Baseball Report with aiding the process.

“I appreciate what PBR did for me,” Powers noted. “PBR New England did a great job of helping me get the exposure I needed.”

Powers, who carries a 3.8 GPA and is planning on a major in business, believes he can play a large role in the baseball program in Amherst, 90 minutes from home.

“On the field the biggest thing I’ll bring is being a leader,” Powers said. “Be the example. I’ll also bring a lot of versatility. I can pitch, hit and field, but being a leader is the biggest thing. On and off the field you’ll see that the moment I step on campus.”

There are a great deal of things that Powers is looking forward to once college life begins.

“Just the entire experience,” Powers said about what he is excited about the most. “In baseball we’ll be competing against the best competition in the country and I’m excited to play against that at UMass.”

To have a college destination finalized brings an exuberant feeling according to Powers.

“I worked so hard the past couple of years,” Powers reflected. “My family has made so many sacrifices, I feel I deserve this. My coaches are excited for me, it’s just a great feeling. It means four more years of baseball along with an education. That’s very important to me. It means the world.”