Turner Finds The Right Fit Not Far From Home

COVENTRY, R.I. - There was a college commitment as a freshman. But a year later the pitching coach left. Then came increased velo for right-handed pitcher Tommy Turner. 

It brought on a dilemma for the Coventry High School junior.

“I was too young when I made my decision,” the second-rated 2023 pitcher from Rhode Island explained. “With the velocity jumps I was making, I think they understood my position.”

A decommitment from Houston took place two months ago. It was followed by interest from numerous schools, especially in the south.

“My first tournament in the fall was the PBR Cup and the first time I hit 94,” the 16-year-old reflected. “That opened a lot of eyes.”

Texas, Alabama and Mississippi State were among those taking notice. LSU and Central Florida came into the picture two weeks later at an event in Fort Myers. But then Connecticut entered the mix.

“I talked with a lot of Power Five schools and JUCOs, but once UConn came into play the coaches made my decision easy,” related the 121st-ranked junior right-handed pitcher in the nation. “The UConn coach showed the most interest and it’s only 55 miles away.

“I saw the campus twice and went to a fall baseball game and it was awesome,,” Turner continued. “They gave me a solid offer.”

His improvement was substantial in aiding the recruiting process.

“My freshman year I started going to Hoppy (Hop’s Athletic Performance) during the first quarantine with Covid,” Turner noted. “I’d never worked out in my life and I was throwing 80-81. Five weeks later I was up to 85. That summer I got up to 87.”

Strength coach Matt Hopkins benefitted the cause with Turner working out during the winter of his sophomore year.

“I randomly hit 90 and then in my first high school game I was up to 92,” Turner said. “In Georgia this fall I was 94, sitting 92-93, and then in Fort Myers I hit 94 five or six times. It’s all because of a lot of working out and refining my mechanics.”

The high velo is only part of what stood out about the 5-11 175-pounder to Connecticut.

“They like my build and the way I move,” Turner pointed out. “All the coaches that showed a lot of interest in me agreed with that. But the thing about committing to UConn is my family will be able to see me every home game.”

High praise about the Big East Conference school also came from Hoppy workout partner Mason Feole, a left-handed pitcher during his playing days at Connecticut.

“He went to UConn and told me about what his experience there was like,” Turner said. “He gave me a tour and with it being so close, it was perfect for me.”

Pitching coach John Derouin is another that played a role in the decision.

“The one thing he brought up is it’s not just about going to big schools, you have to factor in how much you want to play as a freshman and sophomore,” the 10th-rated 2023 in New England explained. “At UConn there is more probability of playing as a freshman.”

A field in human nutrition or criminal justice are potential college majors for Turner, a 4.2 student on a 5.0 scale who believes he can assist the Connecticut program in taking the next step on the ball field.

“Last year they were really good, almost making it to the College World Series,” Turner noted. “I hope to bring a lot of character to the team and help get them to Omaha.”

There is more that the 397th-ranked junior in the country is looking forward to at the university an hour from home. 

“I can’t wait to meet a lot of people and make some good friends,” Turner said. “Hopefully, there will also be a lot of development and I’ll learn a lot. It’s going to be a fun journey.”

One that will be enjoyed by more than just Turner.

“My family … my grandparents, they’re all really happy,” Turner concluded. “It’s just a nice little drive away for them, so it’s pretty convenient.”