Hamburg's Gagg loves Coastal Carolina for baseball

HAMBURG -Bobby Gagg fell in love with Coastal Carolina the first time he ever saw the college as a freshman for the New jersey Twins. So, four years later, the six-foot Wallkill Valley pitcher signed a Division I letter of intent to pitch for the Chanticleers when he's done dominating the SCIL this season. "When I saw it, I really liked the area," said Gagg. "When I found out I had a Division I arm, that's where I wanted to go." Gagg said he narrowed his choices down to Coastal Carolina and Clemson. But Coastal Carolina offered him more money. Coastal Carolina being located seven miles from Myrtle Beach weighed into that decision as well. "I committed early because I wanted to take the burden off of myself during the season," said Gagg. "We have a great team coming back, and I don't want to have any distractions." The Rangers return all-league players Cody Herbert and Mike Sudol. Combine that with Gagg's near 90 m.p.h. fastball, and Wallkill Valley could be trouble come the postseason. Wallkill Valley lost in the state quarterfinals last season. Personally, Gagg wants to be on the all-state team. But he knows that will only happen if his team wins. "If you aren't from Bergen County you have to win a state title to make all-state," said Gagg. "Being where I am from, I know that." At Wallkill Valley, Gagg has been named second team all-state, first team all-West Jersey, all league, and West Jersey rookie of the year. He was also named the top prospect at a college showcase at Rutgers University. "Bobby will be an impact right-handed pitcher," Coastal Carolina coach Gary Gilmore said. "He has an 86-90 fastball, and he is a tremendous competitor. He is the consummate coaches' on-field player." Gagg also throws a curve, slider, and his favorite - a change up. John Wilson, coach of the New Jersey Twins and a Minnesota Twins Scout since 1991 was also impressed. "Kids from New Jersey don't have much of a chance against him," Wilson said of Gagg. "He has makings of a draftable player now. He has all the makings of a major league pitcher with an above-average changup. Coastal Carolina was 40-23 last year and is ranked 34th in the country in this year's preseason poll.