Billy McGrath: Brilliant Baseballer
Spencer Lockhart ’18
Billy McGrath ’16, one of three captains of this year’s Varsity Baseball team, has spent the four most recent seasons of his career playing for the Hilltoppers.
Co-Captain Jono Zarrilli said, “Billy is a leader in every sense of the word. He leads with his stellar play as well as his sportsmanship and effort. It’s been a pleasure playing with him the last four years and being his co-captain this year.”
According to Coach Rocco DeMaio, McGrath is a “fierce competitor.” He said, “Billy plays the game at full speed, is a true sportsman, and keeps it fun.” Colby Gardner ’16 said, “Billy brings a new level of intensity to the team. He plays his heart out every time he’s on the field and teaches love of the game by example.”
McGrath’s love of the game stems from more than just his many years of playing. “Baseball brings our family together, having my brothers and dad play, and with my mother and sister being big fans,” said McGrath. “It’s always been a big connecting thing for our family.”
This love of the game has translated into various awards and in-game success. “I was All-FAA Honorable Mention last year,” McGrath recalled, “and earlier this season I was hitting .500 over a stretch of games.”
Both accomplishments are in addition to McGrath winning one of Gametime CT’s “Player of the Day” polls earlier this season for an outstanding performance in Hopkins’ 12-6 win over Rye Country Day School.
McGrath’s favorite moment of his senior season was the annual trip to Florida. McGrath said, “I loved getting to spend March Break down in Disney World playing baseball and hanging out with the team.”
In addition to the fun the team had in Florida, McGrath said that it was a very productive and helpful trip: “When we came back up north, we were already in mid-season form, which was great.”
Although he enjoys watching professional baseball, McGrath aspires to find a different road after Hopkins. According to him, his post-Hopkins athletic plan is not quite baseball, but rather “Men’s Softball.”
McGrath’s dedication and work ethic certainly will be missed once he graduates. DeMaio said, “His leadership, hustle, and dedication to our program will be difficult to replace. Any coach would love to have a team full of Billy McGraths!”
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