Boasting a remarkable .443 batting average, 43 hits, and an impressive .530 on-base percentage, sophomore outfielder Chris Bonacci has been a huge asset for the Cortland Baseball as the regular season comes to a close.
The Cortland Baseball team is on an impressive 17-game winning streak, and one player who has been crucial to their success is their sophomore outfielder, Chris Bonacci. In just two short years with the team, Bonacci has already established himself as a game-changing player and leader for the Cortland Baseball team. His performance at the plate has been nothing short of exceptional, as he continues to tear it up and dominate for the Red Dragons.
Bonacci’s success at the plate can be attributed to his simple approach. As the leadoff hitter, his job is to see opening pitches and get on base.
“When I’m at the plate I just like to keep it simple and not think too much,” says Bonacci. “As a leadoff guy, it is tough to adjust right away, but my job is to see pitches and then relay to my teammates what I see.”
Bonacci’s approach is to think about the situation while in the on-deck circle, but once he steps up to the plate, he figures out quickly what he needs to do as a hitter. He adjusts to different pitchers and their styles by observing the pitcher’s movements and analyzing their pitches as the game progresses.
Apart from his performance at the plate, Bonacci plays a huge role in creating havoc for the pitcher when he gets on base. He tries to get into the pitcher’s head to distract them from the hitter and give his teammates an advantage at the plate. He believes that creating distractions and putting pressure on the pitcher will help his team in the long run.
“When I’m on the bases, I try to create havoc for the pitcher and get him thinking as much as possible to help my teammates at the plate,” said Bonacci. “The more I get in the pitcher’s head, the more he’s gonna be thinking about me and not the hitter.”
Bonacci graduated from West Genesee in 2020, where he was a member of the baseball team and earned all-league honors. His skills and experience from high school have translated well to the college level, making him a standout player for the Cortland Red Dragons.
The transition to college was difficult for Bonacci due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he adapted by going to the weight room more often with his lifting partner, graduate student Hunter Holliday. Bonacci credits Holliday for pushing him to lift more and overcome some of the challenges he faced in the weight room.
In his freshman year with the Red Dragons, Bonacci played in 42 games with nine starts and batted .333 with 17 runs, three doubles, and six RBI. He continued his impressive performance in his sophomore year, playing in 33 games with 14 starts, batting .328 with 11 runs, one double, and 12 RBI.
Bonacci’s progress in just two years on the team speaks to his potential to the program, making him a valuable asset as he still has two more years of eligibility for Cortland.
With the end of the regular season looming ahead, Bonacci has set his sights on winning the SUNYAC and advancing as far as possible in the postseason. Individually, he aims to maintain his batting average of .400 and help the team reach the postseason. He prioritizes the team’s success over his individual accomplishments and is a team player who constantly leads and supports his teammates.
“Our goal is to be playing in the postseason after our conference tournament,” said Bonacci. “I would like to keep hitting in the .400 range throughout the season but my mind is mostly with the team and getting to the postseason.”
With two more years of eligibility, there is no doubt that Bonacci will continue to improve and reach even greater heights. His potential is limitless, and it’s exciting to think about what he will achieve in the future.
His priority is the team’s success, and he aims to help them reach the postseason while maintaining his strong batting average. Bonacci is a leader and a team player who has been instrumental in the team’s impressive 17-game winning streak, and his continued success will certainly benefit the future of Cortland Baseball.