Barrington’s Alfonso finds fit at Indiana

Having his number called last at Indiana University’s one-day winter baseball showcase was one of the best things to happen to Barrington senior Ricky Alfonso.

Indiana coach Tracy Smith read off a few numbers of players he wanted to talk to when the camp was over. Alfonso was one of the chosen few from approximately 70 players who participated during the winter break from school.

Smith mentioned a scholarship and asked the left-handed hitting outfielder if he wanted to go to Indiana. Alfonso knew he couldn’t refuse and gave Smith a verbal commitment.

“Going to the camp was a great opportunity,” Alfonso said. “I knew I had to do really well for anything to happen. I did and it worked out.”

Alfonso said he had been talking to some smaller schools but had no other offers. He started looking at camps to attend during the winter break and decided on Indiana.

Alfonso said in a 10-inning game inside Indiana’s indoor football facility he went 4-for-5 with 2 doubles and a homer.

“I don’t know if I was surprised because I had done so well,” Alfonso said of getting Smith’s attention. “I was just relieved and happy he called my number. It was crazy.”

It also gives Alfonso the chance to fulfill a goal he had before high school to play in the Big Ten. Indiana was 28-27 last year and won the conference tournament title in 2009.

Alfonso was promoted to the varsity during his sophomore season and helped Barrington reach the Class 4A supersectional. He was a starting outfielder last spring and played in the summer with the Top Tier travel program.

Hockey was originally Alfonso’s No. 1 sport but he gave it up his sophomore year because he saw more opportunities to play baseball in college. He plans to study business or finance as has a 4.0 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale and scored 27 on the ACT.

“I liked staying in the Midwest and it’s pretty close to home, “Alfonso said. “It’s a big school and has great academics. It fit everything I was looking for.”