Holy Cross' Adryan aims for Ohio University

He's an athletic third baseman with range in the field and power at the plate.

John Adryan might be too young to remember Mike Schmidt in his prime with the Phillies.

But there's a connection between the Holy Cross senior and the Hall of Famer: the Ohio University Bobcats baseball team.

Schmidt played for Ohio University and was drafted by the Phillies in the second round in 1971.

Adryan plans to play for Ohio University starting next season, as he has committed to attend the Mid-American Conference school on a baseball scholarship.

"As soon as I went there I knew it was right for me," Adryan said. "I loved the campus, the coaches, the players on the team, the schedule. I felt like it was the best fit by far."

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Adryan, who likely will pitch as well as play third base for Holy Cross this season, had other college options. He visited the University of Central Florida, Coastal Carolina, Monmouth, George Mason, and Virginia, and also was involved with Duke and Virginia.

But Adryan said he developed a strong relationship with Ohio coach Joe Carbone, who played second base for the Bobcats when Schmidt played shortstop for the team in 1970.

Adryan will sign a letter of intent during the NCAA's next signing period in April.

"It's a great situation for him," Holy Cross coach Steve Paolini said. "He's signed, sealed and delivered and now he can just go out in his senior year and have fun.

"So many kids aren't able to do that as seniors. I expect him to relax, go out and have a great year."

Adryan was a key player for Holy Cross last season as the Lancers went 21-4 and finished No. 4 in The Inquirer's final Top 10.

Adryan batted .479 with a .635 on-base-percentage and .854 slugging percentage. He had 25 RBIs, 24 walks, three home runs, and five doubles.

Adryan also was a standout defensive player for the Lancers. He made two strong plays on bunts in the high-pressure atmosphere of the Non-Public B championship game, which Holy Cross lost to eventual state champion Gloucester Catholic by a 3-0 score.

Paolini said Adryan was a leader as a junior on a team with several accomplished seniors.

"We had some quiet kids," Paolini said. "You need that guy who is going to stand up and say something in the locker room. That was John as a junior."

Holy Cross likely will need Adryan's leadership - as well as his hitting, fielding, and pitching - this season as the Lancers lack experience.

Holy Cross graduated several top seniors from last year's team including star catcher Mark Zagunis and ace pitcher Jeff Singer. The Lancers also lost one of last year's top hitters in junior second baseman Tim Gallagher, who transferred to Hammonton.

"We have great chemistry this year," Adryan said. "We have some players who have been together for a while and some young guys who are stepping up. I think we're going to surprise some people."

Adryan, who plays for the Arsenal AAU program, said he doesn't have any individual goals this season.

"My only goal is to do whatever I can to help the team," Adryan said. "I don't care abut stats or anything like that. I'm just focused on helping us win as many games as we can."

Adryan said he plans to major in accounting at Ohio University and minor in criminal justice. He'd love to make a career of playing baseball. Otherwise, he might like to work for the FBI or CIA.

"That would be a cool career," Adryan said.