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player ready...James Gargano is called by his high school baseball coach “the whole package, and then some.”
Gargano found a college with all the necessary components, too.
Checking off all the boxes — proximity, academics, a competitive league and a respected coach — Neuqua Valley’s senior shortstop on Monday made his verbal commitment to Butler.
Gargano is one of the first recruits for new Butler coach Dave Schrage, hired July 5. Schrage coached the last five years at South Dakota State. Before that, he was at Notre Dame from 2007-10 after stops at Evansville, Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa.
“I love the way he coaches — it’s a good mesh,” said Gargano, a shortstop. “They have a new coach which is exciting, they play in the Big East which is really competitive, it’s close to home, the academics are great … it’s a win/win.”
Gargano always envisioned playing college baseball. One uncle played at Northern Illinois, another at Elmhurst. Gargano’s performance this spring did nothing to dispel that dream.
Gargano homered on the second pitch he saw as a varsity player, a harbinger of things to come. Batting leadoff, he hit .356 with 16 doubles, four homers, 20 RBIs and 41 runs, leading Neuqua to a Class 4A sectional final.
“James just does so many things,” Neuqua coach Robin Renner said. “His attitude toward his teammates, his understanding of the game, how hard he plays, his base running, his ability to defend and hit. He’s a coach’s dream. He just plays the game the right way.”
Dayton offered Gargano when he was in Georgia with his 29ers travel team, and Butler followed in July during an on-campus visit.
Gargano already has a built-in connection with his new coach.
Scott Lawler, Gargano’s coach with the 29ers as well as Benet’s head coach, was an assistant for Schrage at Notre Dame, Evansville and Northern Iowa.
Others also expressing interest in Gargano included Santa Clara and Western Michigan.
“I wanted to get things settled before my senior year,” said Gargano, who plans to study business. “Once I talked to coach (Schrage), it just felt right. There’s a lot of excitement around the program.”
Joshua Welge is a freelance writer for the Naperville Sun.