Destiny takes Grayslake Central's Gargano to Hofstra

For the next four years, baseball will take Angelo Gargano far away from his parents.

But, at the same time, it will also bring him somewhat closer to them.

Gargano, a hard-hitting first baseman from Grayslake Central, inked a scholarship in November to Hofstra, the only major Division I university located on Long Island in New York.

It just so happens that both of Gargano's parents, Stephen and Doreen, were raised on Long Island and lived there for most of their lives.

For a Gargano, going to Hofstra is like going home.

"When my parents moved out here to start their own businesses (including a pizzeria in Grayslake), Long Island is probably the last place they thought I'd end up, even though we go out there quite a bit," Gargano said. "My mom still has family out there, my sister (Elaina) actually lives out there now. But it's still funny that I ended up there for college.

"It's such a coincidence that it all worked out this way with Hofstra."

It's no coincidence, however, that Gargano, a straight-A student with a 30 ACT who was at one point looking at Ivy League schools, got a major college scholarship in the first place. Not only is he a model student, he's one of the best returning baseball players in Lake County, where another competitive baseball season kicked into full gear this week.

Once again, Grayslake Central will likely be leading the way.

Gargano and the Rams are looking to return downstate after last year's magical run through the Class 3A tournament that yielded a third-place finish.

It was in the tournament that Gargano's coincidental hook-up with Hofstra got its legs.

Hofstra assistant coach John Russo used to be a teacher and athletic director in the Millburn School District in Wadsworth. He also was on the baseball coaching staff at Antioch High School.

Somewhere along the way, he became friends with Grayslake Central coach Troy Whalen.

While coaching some travel teams, Russo made some really good connections and was hired to coach at Hofstra two years ago. Whalen and Russo stayed in touch, and Whalen was all too happy to put a bug in Russo's ear about Gargano.

"I knew that Coach Whalen had been talking to Coach Russo about me and I though that was cool. I found out that Coach Russo was coming to see me play in the first game of the regional last season," Gargano said. "But that game, I actually had a pretty bad game. He left and I kind of took it that maybe it wasn't meant to be (with Hofstra).

"But then (Russo) came back out for the sectional semifinal (a 2-0 victory over Vernon Hills) and I had a really good game and that's when it all started falling into place."

On his second visit, Russo saw part of a postseason stretch in which Gargano went 9-for-9 at the plate.

"I'm a big believer in fate. I think it was supposed to work out this way for Angelo with Hofstra," Whalen said. "Russo ended up seeing Angelo at a very good time and that was it."

Russo also saw Gargano hit consistently for power to all fields, which is a rare skill at this level. Gargano, a righty, says that of his 10 home runs over the last two seasons, at least half of them have been to right field.

"I hit to the opposite field pretty well, and with power drives, that's usually not the case," Gargano said. "That's kind of been my calling card.

"It kind of came naturally, but I've also been swinging a bat since forever, as long as I can remember. I worked with my dad when I was younger and also some instructors and it kind of became simpler to me than maybe other people."

Gargano, who has been playing varsity baseball since his freshman year, finished last season hitting .390 with 49 hits, 15 doubles, 51 RBI and 7 home runs.

"Angelo has been one of the most complete hitters I've had," Grayslake Central coach Troy Whalen said. "And he's been that way for a long time. He's one of those kids who has been the best hitter on all of his teams since he was 9 years old.

"He just works so hard, he works all year long. And he's got a lot of natural ability. He can hit all kinds of pitches so it's tough to beat him."

Gargano is hoping that Grayslake Central remains tough to beat.

Before he heads out to his new home on the East Coast, he wants to do his old hometown proud by helping the Rams get downstate again.

"I'm excited to go to Hofstra because it's a great opportunity and New York is a fun place," Gargano said. "But Grayslake will always be my hometown and I would love to get back to state. It was so fun for everyone in the community. When I think back about that experience last year, the first thing I think about is the fans. We had so many fans out there cheering us on. It was nice to see a community rally around us.

"I want to do that again."

pbabcock@dailyherald.com