Roadrunner leadoff hitter Scotty Young grew up in Southern California and was always proud of his West Coast roots.
Turns out, East Coast life has also suited Scotty and his family quite well since he brought his talents and skills to the RCSJ Gloucester Baseball program this spring.
At 6 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing 220 pounds, and possessing solid hitting instincts and speed, Scotty has emerged as a major force on a Roadrunners' team ranked No. 1 in the country in NJCAA Division III with high hopes of winning a national championship.
A smooth-swinging left-handed hitter who plays center field, his efforts in the leadoff spot have sparked the Runners' offense in many ways. Whether it's simply finding his way on base or executing a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt -- as he did in Friday's playoff win over Brookdale with a safety squeeze RBI -- Scotty has shown solid offensive skills and leadership qualities -- all of which have earned him a spot on the Rutgers University baseball squad in 2024!
In 200 official at bats for the Runners, he has produced a sizzling .436 batting average with 87 hits, 65 RBIs, 8 home runs, 123 total bases, and 14 stolen bases.
"He sets the tone -- and he sets the tone well," said Coach Rob Valli in a recent interview. "A lineup like ours always needs a productive hitter in that leadoff spot, and Scotty has been a nice fit."
The mere fact that Scotty ended up playing at RCSJ is a story in itself. At Mission Viejo High School (California), Scotty played right field for four years while also playing a year of basketball. He played with and against several future Division I college prospects, including UCLA shortstop Cody Schrier.
Young met three of his current teammates -- Devin Sweeney, Kevin Opanel and Danny Kerr --while playing on an ACBL Summer League team for the Trenton Generals last summer.
"Just meeting up with these guys and hearing about the RCSJ program convinced me to make the move across the country," he said. "Even though California is a hot spot for baseball, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and have the opportunity to play on the field every day.
"And everyone here has really pushed me to the next level. Coach Valli has a great culture here, and my teammates and their families have been super welcoming. And everyone wants me to become a better player, which has happened."
Scotty's family includes Mom Lynn and Dad Mike as well as adopted older brother Ozzie and younger brother Sean. His family plans to move to South Carolina in the near future and will be closer to Scotty. .
"I guess we're all now full-time 'East Coasters'," said Young proudly. "This has really worked out so well."
Scotty's next stop will be NCAA Division I Rutgers. "I'm super excited to go to a great program like Rutgers has," he said. "I'll need to work hard every day to prove I can play at that level, and I'm looking forward to the challenge."