Harry Green Athlete of the Week: Jovanni Minnocci
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — The Notre Dame Fighting Irish baseball team earned a walk-off win against Trinity Christian this past weekend with center fielder Jovanni Minnocci playing a huge role, and for that, he's this week's Harry Green Athlete of the Week.
When Minnocci is playing center field, you might see a dazzling play like the ones he made on Saturday. Plays like that have become routine for the Notre Dame sophomore.
'You know, just pick everyone up, even your other outfielders, and just track the ball, don't let anything by you, and just keep everyone hyped up,' Minnocci said.
One way to get your teammates hyped up is by hitting a home run. But in the case of the kid they call JoJo, he doesn't need to clear the fence to make that happen. Minnocci hit an inside-the-park home run against Trinity Christian on Saturday and really got a chance to showcase his wheels.
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'I haven't really been hitting the ball good this season, but you know, I just went out there and had to be patient, wait for my pitch to come. Just try to put the ball in play, make good contact. Doesn't matter where it goes, just put it in play,' Minnocci said.
After hitting .391 his freshman season, Minnocci got off to a bit of a slow start to begin his sophomore campaign. But keeping a good attitude is helping him avoid a sophomore slump.
'You know, just keep your head up. Everyone gets in a slump. You just gotta dig your way out of it. Keep on picking everyone up,' Minnocci said.
After hitting the walk-off base hit for the Irish on Saturday, Minocci's teammate, and Bethany College commit Dominick Bombardiere, said 'keep doubting us, c'mon,' after his late game heroics. As you can guess, Notre Dame wants their respect, and Minnocci agrees with that as well.
'Feel like everyone's sleeping on us, especially because we're a catholic school. But if we go out there and show them how we play baseball, that'll change their mind,' he said.
Minnocci and the Irish are back in action this Saturday, when they travel to Cameron for a doubleheader with the dragons. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
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