A DREAM COME TRUE FOR HORSEHEADS' RUSS AS HE SIGNS TO PLAY D1 BASEBALL AT LEMOYNE (2024-05-21)

By Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
For Horseheads Dom Russ the goal was always to be a Division I baseball player.

When he got a chance to sign with LeMoyne everything about the school just felt right for the Blue Raiders senior.

“It was kind of a long process for me,” Russ said. “I committed back in November. From the first phone call I loved the energy, I loved the coaches I was talking to, it felt right.

“When I got on campus, I loved the campus. It’s kind of the best of both worlds. It’s not a huge school, but it feels like you are still at college. Between the campus and the college it felt right. It’s been my whole dream since I was a kid to play D1 baseball.:

LeMoyne is a program that just recently moved back to Division I and Russ ie excited to be a part of the growth of the program.

“I think that’s awesome,” Russ said. ‘Eventually as they start to grow to be part of that. They had a good year this year their first year back at Division I. I’m excited to help the whole team, help the program get to where they want to be.”

Playing in New York State was a big key for Russ. As he originally looked at schools he was looking down South, but then he realized being close to home was important for him.

“I know when I first started the process, first started to talk to coaches, sometimes the big things was always wanting to go down South in the warm weather to be able to play outside,” Russ said. “As I went through the process it was important for me for family and friends to be able to watch my career. It’s only two hours so that’s important so family and friends can watch me play.”

Staying in the North can be tough for a baseball player, but Russ is used to it.

“It is very hard, if you are in warm weather al the time you can play,” Russ said. “Rather than if it’s 40 degrees outside, that’s why I always say Northern kids are tougher for baseball. You have to play the first two months in 40-50 degree weather. It just makes it that much easier when you go down South to start the season.”

For Russ just getting a chance to play Division I baseball at all is special. And, being in North, you still go down South to play in tournaments to begin the year.

“I think it’s all about if you get an opportunity tp play at the Division I level anywhere it’s amazing,” Russ said. “Playing up north, your first few weeks are spent on a road trip down South. In late February in New York you are not able to play outside, so you want to play down South. But, I think just getting an opportunity to play at any level, any place is important.”

Getting to play Division I is just something that Russ always imagined.

“It’s a dream come true for me,” Russ said. “Since I was playing 9u baseball with the Finger Lakes Falcons, that was always the first goal to make it D1. It was in my head, I know I can be a D1 player, now it’s about making it happen. Being introduced to the recruiting process as a freshman and three years and it coming together. With (Horseheads coach Jeff) Limoncelli taking a shot with me and all the hard work I put in is finally coming together.”

Being at Horseheads helped Russ in his goal as he’s on a team with other players pushing for the same goals.

“It’s great,” Russ said. “We have a program at Horseheads and we are all reaching for the same goals. We all want to play at the college level. Having guys like Mason (Holloway) and guys like Micah (Hays) throw live at bats and they give me pointers on how they pitch to me and I can give them feedback too. Coach Limoncelli allows us to have that environment to build off each other. We are very lucky to share the field with guys of that caliber.”

Russ has talked to the coaches and believes there is a chance to go in and play shortstop, like he does in high school, but he’s willing to do anything.

“I talked to the coaches and they believe I can come in and shortstop, I think there is a fifth-year guy right now, so there is competition for that spot and by all means I can do everything I can do to get it. If I’m swinging the bat with my speed they believe I can play anywhere on the field,” Russ said.

Russ just wants to work on everything with his game before the college level.

“I don’t think specifically,” Russ said on things to work on. “I enjoy the process, I enjoy practice. I am working on everything. I always want to get better on everything I do. The pitching level, especially jumping to D1, you will see more velocity so putting the bat on the ball is the biggest thing. I’m working on everything.”

LeMoyne also has the academics that Russ wanted.

“I am planning to study psychology when I go to LeMoyne and they have that major there,” Russ said. “Everything kind of lineup up academically and baseball wise.”

Just having a decision made takes some nerves off for Russ in his senior season.

“It’s definitely a weight off my back,” Russ said. “At times I’d put too much pressure on myself, because I thought every single at-bat would determine playing time at the D1 level. Making the decision and making it happen takes weight off my back.”
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