Interest in Benneche beginning to take shape

Luke Benneche RHP / OF / Simsbury, CT / 2020

SIMSBURY, Ct. - The early stage of recruitment can be an exciting time. That is the case for Luke Benneche, who will be making his first college visit on Sunday.

“It happened after the PBR Fall All-Star Game,” Benneche said about interest from the University of Massachusetts. “Coach (Nate) Cole saw me there and said he wanted me to come on a visit. I was a little nervous (talking to him), but it’s something I’ve expected of myself.”

The 28th-ranked player in the 2020 class of New England has a lot to provide colleges such as UMass-Amherst.

“I like to make sure a coach knows I’ll work as hard as I can both on and off the field,” the Simsbury High School junior noted. “I value off the field as much as on it.”

A right-handed pitcher and outfielder, the UMass-Amherst assistant coach liked what he saw of Benneche at the PBR event.

“He said they can see me pitching and playing outfield at the next level,” the 12th-rated unsigned junior in New England said. “He likes my athletic ability. He said my hitting is raw, but it has potential.”

That is an area that strides have been made of late.

“I went from hitting for the JVs as a freshman to hitting .400 on the varsity as a sophomore,” Benneche pointed out. “I’ve made improvements in my hitting and my pitching repertoire. But I’m not where I want to be with velocity. I’m in the mid-80s and with my size I should be throwing harder. I expect more out of myself.”

The 6-3 200-pounder is working to improve in a couple of areas.