PBR: Why did you choose Holy Cross Baseball?

Bernacchi:  I wanted to go far from home.  At first, I thought I wanted to go West or South, and I know I am going to be kidded for staying in Michiana close to home/mom, but I chose to be a Saint for obvious reasons and for the same reasons, I put in my application for admissions:  HC is a perfect fit. It just made sense. HC has small class sizes at a small school where everyone knows each other, but all of the students share the big school atmosphere of the campuses of the University of Notre Dame and St. Mary’s College, both next door.  So, I am now a Saint, and still I feel good about remaining an ND Fighting Irish football fan.  I love ND football weekends and activities. HC, I suppose, has light bulbs, not chandeliers like ND, but then it is very relaxed.   This is where I grew up, and where I felt like I’d fit in best. I played and lived in other states and places, but Michiana is the best-kept secret.  Plus Holy Cross has baseball program that is on the rise, a lot of solid new players, and where I can play right away, and Coach S. has signed guys from around the country.  Combine all that with Notre Dame, IN, athletic facilities and training, really it is an opportunity to improve that is second to none.  I can’t wait to call Coveleski Stadium home.  Besides, my dentist is just down the road.  That is an inside joke, I know. (I had been hit by accident, taking a baseball bat to his teeth in an early scrimmage in 2011 and lost several teeth requiring numerous trips to his dentist.  I did not miss a single at bat despite the incident, and then proceeded to put the ball in play, striking out once in my first 50 at bats to start the campaign, and 4 times in all 105 plate appearances as Junior with the 26-6 Elkhart Central Blue Blazers in 2011.) 

Coach/Dr. Sutula, who is a Medical Doctor at a South Bend Hospital when not coaching between the lines, has referred me as a “Blue Chip” recruit for his program. 

PBR: Where did HC first see you compete?

Bernacchi:  Coach S., Head Coach Sutula, first saw me, I think, when I was 12 or 13 working out indoor at the Chasing a Dream barn.  I think the first time he came to game was at the Cove versus cross county rival Northridge.  But mostly, I remember he came once especially to see me and I sat out with the flu, but he has been to a lot of my games.  He has seen video, followed my game, and team success for some time.  He was always interested, and he made it clear where I stood with him.  He came to see me at my grandmother’s funeral last month.

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play during your first year on campus?

Bernacchi:  You need ask them, but I think they expect me to come in and do what I do, play for the team on the front and help play at a level that creates competitive players to win and work harder than ever.  They expect me to succeed in school and to improve individually and help my teammates share a common desire to make good choices and believe that we can win and play consistently at a very high level. I do know the class ahead of me was a great recruiting class, but that my position was pretty open or at least had the opportunity to contribute earlier than a D1 program, stacked with 6’5” first base only players.

PBR: What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that will help the Saints?

Bernacchi:  I think my biggest strength is two pronged my effort and attitude.  All any athlete can control is their attitude and their effort.  Let’s go, Saints?

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?

Bernacchi:  I am not sure I have an answer to that. I was taught young to be my own hitting coach.  My twin, Will, is no. 1. My HS coach, my Legion coach, private coaches, travel coaches Baseball Factory and Under Armour National team coaches, Ben Bailey, Former Notre Dame coaches at camps and all college camp coaches, and I had several youth coaches, Coach Jimmy Malcolm, Jeff Rinard, Jeff at Bring the Heat, John and Joel at School of Hard Knocks and my dad all pitched to me.  Matt Young, Trainer. I attended the Utah Baseball Academy and Juan Diego HS Camps, Jim Reinebolt Fall Camp 12 at the Coveleski Stadium. Coach Stutsman and his staff at Elkhart all of them have been so many generous mentors to me.  I love them all.  They have all been great coaches and role models.  I’ve got to mention Coach Tom Hill, too.  I hope in the future I will answer that question with my college coaches at Holy Cross.

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer and what was your most exciting experience?

Bernacchi:  This past year I played for Coach Jim Treadway, Concord HS new head coach, and played for the Bristol Post American Legion Team, mostly.  I played for three other teams as well. I enjoyed being a Junior Participant the Indiana HS All Star weekend.

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher you have faced in Indiana?

Bernacchi:  In Indiana I respect Concord’s Seth Huxford, Riley’s Steve Wisser, Lake Central’s Jimmy McNamara, Adam’s Justine Rienke, St. Joe’s Connor Brown, but I think Elkhart Central has the best staff in Corey Malcolm, Tanner Tully, Riley Futterknecht, and Ronnie Hawkins, who would all bean me in practice if I left anyone them out. Having said that I play against Josh Schuler who is now a Freshman at Holy Cross, and I don’t want him left of the short list of good ones.

PBR: What are your goals both individually and for the team going into your senior season?

Bernacchi:  My goal is my team’s goal: to win every pitch. Do better than last year individually and as a team. Win the Northern Indiana Conference. Defend the Sectional Title, Win the Regional, getting revenge, and then let’s go win state.  We can elevate our school to a new level. At 26-6 last year, we are the best team in school history.  We are brothers on a mission, and we can all pick each other up.  When we at Elkhart Central hit on all cylinders, no one can play with us.  We have a great opportunity and everyone thinks they can spoil it.  We make good choices, still have fun, and we share something special, Blazer Magic, of sorts.