We're all a close, tight-knit group of guys who enjoy similar habits and all that. 'The culture is just something that's truly special here. 'This was a winning culture right when I got here,' Lorusso said. By talking to current teammates Luke Shliger and Bobby Zmarzlak about associate head coach Matt Swope's approach to hitting practice with a focus on the fundamentals, Lorusso decided he wanted to be a Terrapin for the 2022 season. Maryland also possessed the coaching technique and winning mindset that drew Lorusso's interest in the program. Specifically, he witnessed the rise of Benjamin Cowles, who hit 18 home runs after recording just six total in his first two seasons in College Park. 'As a two-way player when I was there, I was able to get what I learned from the pitching standpoint and use that in order to develop my hitting skills.'ĭuring the 2021 season, Lorusso saw how Maryland aided burgeoning talent in the Terps' NCAA Regional run. 'The BIG EAST I feel like is known to be a little bit more of a pitcher's conference than hitter's conference,' Lorusso said.

While earning his stripes in Philadelphia as a pitcher and a corner infielder, Lorusso developed a keen understanding of the collegiate game, adjusting to the speed of NCAA baseball quickly after a standout career at Masuk High School. Additionally, he secured 2019 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year honors as the focal point in Villanova's lineup. In his two full campaigns with the Wildcats, Lorusso paced the club in hitting by batting over. Lorusso's rise to prominence didn't come from out of nowhere, as he built his reputation as one of the most consistent bats in Villanova's lineup for the first three seasons of his collegiate tenure.

18 and April 14, Lorusso compiled a 31-game hitting streak, far surpassing the previous record of 19 set by Garry Maddox in 1996.

Then, of course, he has his incomparable hitting streak. Entering the home stretch of the 2023 regular season, Lorusso is on pace to set numerous career highs and ranks third in the country with 69 RBI as he is on the precipice of setting the program record in that department. With the Terps pushing for their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, Lorusso has been rewriting his personal records while spearheading a lineup that ranks third in runs scored.

Lo writer