Morrissey Signs with Sacred Heart

It's been a whirlwind season for St. Rose pitcher Nick Morrissey.

The senior pitcher, who posted dominant performances for the Purple Roses as a starter, capped off a tumultuous year Monday afternoon when he signed his letter of intent with Sacred Heart University.

Surrounded by school officials and his parents, Rob and Joan, Morrissey put pen to paper to make his fall trip to Fairfield, CT official.

"I'm just so proud of him," his father said. "He's been so strong for us and he's persevered."

The ups and downs and pressure that comes with being the standout performer on a competitive team not withstanding, it was a personal tragedy that would have been most likely to topple Morrissey's winning season.

Early this spring, Morrissey lost his older brother Chris.

Despite this, the young pitcher has managed to forge ahead and turn in powerful performances.

A week after his brother's death, Morrissey went six innings and led the Purple Roses to an emotional victory over Howell High School.

A tearful Joan Morrissey beamed with pride as her son signed.

"It's been so hard," she said. "We can't wait to watch him shine."

Morrissey said he'll likely major in business while attending the Division I Catholic university.

"I liked it a lot," he said of a January recruiting weekend that led to his decision to attend. "I really liked the way the team joined together." 

St. Rose head baseball coach Jerry Frulio couldn't be happier with Morrissey's decision.

"It's great to send kids off and know that they're going to compete at a very high level," he said.