Former Chaminade Player Excels in Hamptons Summer League

Andrew Gallagher – a standout for the 2011 varsity baseball team – continues to prosper in the Hamptons Collegiate League.

After an impressive freshman performance for Fairfield (Conn.) University last spring, Gallagher spent 10 weeks competing for the Southampton Breakers, living with a host family on the East End and helping to boost the Breakers to their first Hamptons Division title in 2012.

The gains confidence when he recalls wise advise from his former prep coach, Mike Pienkos.

“The best advice they told me was to cherish every moment playng the game because one day I would miss it,” Gallagher said. “I learned from him that fundamentals are the most important part of the game. Especially bunting and defense.”

Gallagher, who lives in North Merrick with his family, also is influenced by his parents, Margaret and James.

“The best advice my mother and father has given me is to always be careful and think twice before acting.”

Known by the nickname “Gags,” he proved one of the premier relief pitchers in the seven-team Hamptons Collegiate League.

“Andrew was my go-to guy out of the bullpen,” Southampton manager Rob Cafiero said. “He was our long man, our closer and he did some spot starts. He challenges the hitters. He can dominate on the mound. He throws strikes. He doesn't get too high or too low.”

For the Breakers, Gallagher pitched in a team-high 17 games. During the regular season, he showed exceptional control with a strikeout to walk ratio of 45 to 6 and a 2.10 ERA. In the Hamptons’ best two-of-three Hamptons Collegiate League finals, the Breakers conquered the Riverhead Tomcats by margins of 6-2 and 12-4, with Gallagher pitched two scoreless innings in each game.

“I feel that my velocity and knowledge of the game improved this summer,” the 5-10, 185-pound righthander said. “It was also awesome to play with kids from (colleges) all over the country. I felt like I did well and I truly enjoyed the team and the league. Winning the HCB title was awesome.”

His parents traveled to see him play for the Breakers and Chaminade assistant coach Shaun Manning also saw his summer progress.

Gallagher, who has been fortunate to be injury free, joined the Breakers after his first college season with the Fairfield Stags where he made 18 appearances and showed a 1.99 ERA as a reliever. During one stretch of 11 appearances, he allowed only one run.

“My first college season was successful,” he said. “I was fortunate to throw as much as I did and I was lucky to end the year with an ERA under two.”

Gallagher’s first link to baseball came when he was 6 years old and he began playing PAL T-ball. He kept playing at the South Shore Baseball Academy on Merrick Avenue, attending Dinklemeyer Elementary in North Bellmore and Latin Middle School at Kellenberg Uniondale.

At Chaminade, Gallagher was a 4-year letterman and he relished his senior high school season. The Flyers and he earned the MVP award for the playoffs. He was also selected to compete in the All-Long Island Prep game and was named best pitcher.

“When I hold a baseball, I am holding what I have worked for,” he said. “My personal definition of dedication is when it becomes the top of your priorities.”

Often, he gets inspiration when he thinks about his grandfather.

“My most cherished possession is the necklace I wear that was my grandpa’s,” said Gallagher, a member of Chaminade’s National Honor Society, goes to  for mass.

For his future, Gallagher will focus on improving his pitching skills and gaining more mound savvy. Like the large majority of the 175 young men who played for the 2012 Hamptons Collegiate League teams, he wants to advance to pro baseball.

“My ambition with baseball is as far as I can get.”