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COLLEGE BASEBALL: SAYRE'S QUINN HANAFIN WILL PLAY FIRST TWO YEARS AT LACKAWANNA COLLEGE (2020-03-30)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
SAYRE "” Sayre senior Quinn Hanafin has verbally committed to play his first two years of college baseball at Lackawanna College in Scranton.

Hanafin will make it official by signing his National Letter-of-Intent as soon as the NCAA lifts its recruiting blackout, which was put into effect due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hanafin was drawn to the program by its recent success, and its new coach.

"It's a good program," he said. "They made it to the World Series last year.

"Their new coach (Mike McCarry) is a really good guy, and is doing a good job," added Hanafin. "I'm looking forward to being part of the program."

Lackawanna went 32-17 last year. After winning the Region XIX title, the Falcons edged Frederick CC, 2-1, in a best-of-three series to win the NJCAA Northeast District Series. They went 0-2 at the NJCAA World Series, losing a pair of one-run decisions.

Hanafin's older brother, Connor Hanafin, was on the Frederick CC team, and will play at Division II Mansfield in the fall. Quinn Hanafin has similar aspirations.

"Pretty much everyone who plays (at Lackawanna) moves on to a different school, and a lot of them to Division 1 and Division 2 schools - and that's what I'm looking to do," he said.

Hanafin has played shortstop for the majority of his three varsity seasons at Sayre, but doesn't expect to play there at Lackawanna.

"They said I could play infield or outfield, so I'll just go down there and see what's the best fit," he said. "It doesn't really matter to me, as long as I get to play, and be on the field."

With his senior season in doubt, Hanafin is happy to have a home in the fall.

"It's definitely a relief to have this done early," he said.

Sayre baseball coach Jamie VanDuzer has no doubt Hanafin will be successful at the next level.

"If Quinn continues to work at the game the way he does, he won't be stopped.

"Quinn and his brother Conner both have the same type of work ethic," said VanDuzer. "They're always in the cage, or they're always doing something extra.

"Even now, with all the down time, I know they're still working," VanDuzer added.

VanDuzer said Hanafin doesn't really have a weakness, but does have things to work on.

"I think his speed, and a little bit of arm speed ... those are the two things I would say he needs to work on.

"I wouldn't even say they're weaknesses, I'd say they're just not as far above-average as his other assets," noted VanDuzer.

Hanafin knows what he needs to do to be ready for the next level.

"I definitely need to work on my speed," he said. "I need to get faster.

"I need to work on my hitting and my fielding, too," added Hanafin. "I need to work on my all-around game."

Hanafin is undecided on his major.

"”"”"”"”"”"”

IN PHOTO: Sayre's Quinn Hanafin.

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