Northeastern University had everything Pete Castoldi was looking for. So when he was offered a scholarship to play baseball there, the St. John's Prep incoming senior didn't hesitate to verbally commit.
"After the Top 96 Showcase (this summer), the Northeastern coaches told me they wanted me to play for them — and it didn't take long for me to make up my mind," said Castoldi, who lives in Marblehead. That was my No. 1 choice all along because it's good baseball and academics.
"The five-year co-op program is attractive, and the criminal justice program is very prestigious. I talked it over with a couple of family friends who are special agents. They told me Northeastern was a great bet because it gets you into the program a lot faster, and you get experience in your field. My goal is to work for the federal government as a special agent for the FBI."
A verbal agreement is all Castoldi can give for now since seniors cannot sign until November. But as soon as he can, Castoldi will make it official.
"It's a gentleman's agreement, which means they are committed to me and I am committed to play for them," he said. "I'm really glad to have the whole decision behind me so I can concentrate on football. I always knew I wanted to play baseball in college, but it would have been pretty difficult to give it any thought during football season."
Castoldi was the Eagles starting third baseman this past spring, his first with the varsity. He hit .281, led the team in homers (2), was third in stolen bases and only struck out 10 times.
"His on base percentage was .431, and he was pretty selective at the plate," said St. John's head baseball coach Pat Yanchus. "He was a very pleasant surprise from day one. When Derek Coppola was out injured, he took over at shortstop and was superb there. Peter's a good athlete who has been a little under the radar.
"He got off to a rather slow start at the plate (this past season), and was hitting some real shots that were going just foul down the left field line because he was too quick in pulling the ball. Once he waited it out a little longer he hit a couple of real long shots for home runs. In the second half of the year he was very strong at the plate, a solid 300 hitter."
Yanchus moved Castoldi around in the order, starting in the leadoff spot for a couple of games, moving him to second and then into the sixth spot after seeing how much power he had.
"I knew some schools were interested in him, but hadn't heard a lot about Northeastern. When kids go to showcases, they can catch a coach's attention," said Yanchus. "Pete is compact with very good speed. He probably will play shortstop for us next year, and that could be his position in college."
Castoldi said Northeastern came to a few Prep games during the season, then got a better look at his skills at a couple of BC camps and the Top 96.
"I called to tell them I was coming (last Thursday). Coach Neil McPhee told me I would be a middle infielder, and that he liked me at shortstop. That's where I have played my whole life," Castoldi said.
Castoldi began playing baseball when he was five, starting with T-Ball in Marblehead. He was on the New England Thunder AAU team from ages 13-15, played for the AAU Hornets as a 16-year old, and just finished up playing with the new Marblehead Legion team.
Rhode Island, UMass, St. Anselm, Seton Hall and Marist were also interested in Castoldi, with Boston College coming into the picture late.
"He is the latest in a long history of our football players going on to play baseball in college," said Prep football coach Jim O'Leary, who plans to use Castoldi at wideout and safety this season. "He is a good athlete and an even better kid."
