EDISON'S ASHTON COLUNIO EXCITED TO GET CHANCE TO PLAY COLLEGE BASEBALL AT WELLS (2023-08-14)

By Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
ELMIRA HEIGHTS — For Ashton Colunio the idea of playing college baseball was something he wasn’t sure would ever happen.

But, after a year to remember for the Edison baseball team he’s now ready to take his game to the next level where he’ll play baseball at Wells College.

“It’s really exciting,” Colunio said. “Being able to continue my academic and baseball career. It’s an opportunity I never really thought I’d have.

“But, I want to thank my friends and family and my coaches for helping me get to this point. All of my coaches at Edison High School and also at Notre Dame.”

For Edison coach Chris Bennett he wasn’t certain what his program was getting when Colunio came to the school this year, but he was impressed with not just the player, but person Colunio is.

“It was Ashton’s first year with Edison,” he said. “He came over and we didn’t really know what to expect. But, when he first got here after the first few practices I was like man, he’s going to be an impact player. Not only on the field, but for his teammates, he’s a leader and he loves the game of baseball. He works hard at it. I’m really proud of him and glad he’s moving on. It’s great for our program to be able to have another kid move on to play college baseball and it gives the younger guys something to look forward to.”

The year Colunio had for the Spartans was something special.

“Just his on-base percentage,” Bennett said of what stands out. “Over .800, lots of walk, scored a lot of runs. He had a phenomenal year, if you just look across the line his stats, they are all pretty impressive.”

When it came to looking at schools Colunio could just tell Wells was the right fit.

“I really like their campus and I like what they do,” Colunio said. “They have a good baseball program up there and I have a couple of friends who go up there so it was the right choice for me to continue there.”

Colunio will major in sports marketing and business at the school.

The Wells baseball team has some other local players already on the roster, including Zack and Max Odum of Elmira, who are friends of Colunio’s.

“It’s exciting to go up there and play with them,” Colunio said. “I’ve known them for a while. They are good people. I have been playing with them ever since I was in Little League and competing against them at Mark Twain. It’s a good opportunity and I’m looking forward to it.”

And, Wells plays at Elmira College next year, which means a trip home for Colunio during his career.

“It’s exciting to come back where I grew up and be able to play,” Colunio said. “Also, I know some people at Elmira College, so I’m looking forward to playing them as well. It should be a lot of fun, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Colunio is ready to see what the college level is like.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Colunio said. “It’s a whole different step up from high school. It’s going to be good competition. I’m looking forward to being able to go up there and play.”
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PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES



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