Lasell University baseball is putting together the recipe of a winner

The Lasell University baseball team is focused on reaching a championship level.

Billy Uberti has achieved a lot in his five years as the head coach of the Lasell University baseball team.

Still, he has plans to take the Lasers a lot further than where they are now.

“It was a dream come true for me when I was hired,” said Uberti, a native of Newton, Mass., who shares his hometown with his alma mater.

Now, after a third straight season with a top-three finish in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference, Uberti is setting his sights higher.

His goals for the team: Improve every year. Find success for his players on and off the field. And then the big one — pursue a championship.

Lasell is making progress. Uberti has led the Lasers to a 42-22 record in the GNAC the past four seasons with a playoff berth in each campaign. Pitcher Matthew Fletcher and infielder Tim Callahan both earned first-team all-conference selections this season. And Uberti has coached 23 all-conference all-stars over the past four seasons.

Now Uberti wants to find more potential all-stars who will buy in to the Lasers’ plans to achieve their goals.

“Culture is so important,” Uberti said. “We’re focused right now on recruiting the right type of guys. Focusing on guys who are going to work their tails off, be good teammates regardless of their role, put the team before themselves.”

Uberti’s staff includes two other former Lasell players, Gary Trottier and Matt Sammarco. All the coaches work hard at building relationships that create an environment in the clubhouse that is both fun and also focused on the team’s overall growth.

“Being able to relate to these players, we can really be there for them,” Sammarco said.

“If they’re loose, if the camaraderie is where it needs to be, they play their best. And that is something I really try to get across to the guys. We take our preparation extremely seriously. But if you’re not having fun doing it, what is the point?

Like any modern baseball coach, Uberti is embracing the change that is coming to the game. He introduced a junior varsity team to the program. Uberti believes it can help Lasell with player retention, development and experience.

Uberti and his staff also welcome what understanding analytics can do for their team.

“We always look at metrics and test our players. We look at their exit velocity. Their swing paths,” Uberti said.

“We use analytics to inform our coaching staff, not to make decisions. For example, one of our top hitters, Tim Callahan, has an unconventional swing but he’s a gamer and not someone that analytics would predict to be successful. That said, last season he hit .430 for us and continually performed at a high level. We use a combination of analytics, our player knowledge and scouting reports to make an all-inclusive decision.”

Sammarco says Uberti and the staff want the Lasell players to bring a mindset to the team that is focused on both enjoying their time at the school and being committed to achieving their shared goals.

“You want to look back and say, ‘I’ve learned a ton being dedicated to a sport.’ And it’s something that coach Uberti was able to start. He had a staff that makes their time enjoyable,” Sammarco said.

As for those shared goals? Uberti is confident if they all follow the plan, that biggest one is achievable.

“We believe our development can get them to a level where they can play,” Uberti said.

“That will eventually create a championship culture for us.”

This story is sponsored content, written by the Seamans Media Custom Content Studio.