DUXBURY, Ma. - Nearly a year after receiving an offer from Massachusetts-Amherst, William Gallagher pulled the trigger and made a commitment to the Atlantic 10 Conference university.

“Location of the school and what fits you best,” Gallagher said of what he was weighing in making a college choice. “I wanted to go close to home because my parents love watching me play.”

UMass-Amherst, which is located 90 minutes from his home in Duxbury, proved to be right for the 76th-ranked 2023 in New England.

“I really enjoyed how much the coaches talked to me and wanted me to go there,” related Gallagher, who also had interest from Georgetown, Northeastern and Holy Cross in addition to Ivy League schools Harvard, Brown and Columbia. “I feel I have a chance to play there right away if I put in the work.”

UMass-Amherst saw Gallagher at a tournament last summer and a team camp invite that followed  involved a campus visit. After continuing to follow the Milton Academy outfielder, an offer was made by UMass in August of 2021.

“They like the fact that I’m a five-tool player,” explained Gallagher, whose commitment came on July 1. “I utilize my speed in the outfield and on the bases. They also like that I can play anywhere. I played shortstop during summer ball when they saw me.

“I’m hustling on every play, showing that you care,” added Gallagher in regard to what stood out to UMass about his play. “Being a leader is another important factor.”

Gallagher moved to Massachusetts from California at the age of six and his interest in baseball began.

“Seeing kids watching the Red Sox, it was always my favorite sport,” noted Gallagher, a wide receiver in football at Milton Academy. “In middle school I knew baseball was what I wanted to do. By my freshman year I saw it wasn’t going to be easy and I started on a path of working hard.

“I was good, but not a five-tool guy as a freshman/sophomore. I was small and didn’t hit for power. I weighed 140 at the beginning of my junior year at Duxbury in the fall of 2020, but in the winter of  2021 I started to grind and I put on 15 pounds. I saw you can’t just use raw talent. Getting faster and stronger was big.”

Improvement helped the recruiting process.

“I went to a PBR last August and ran a 6.48 60 and once that was on the website coaches reached out when they saw that,” Gallagher reflected. “In March at a PBR, I threw 87 from the outfield. The fact that I hit the ball hard, could throw and run, especially being on the PBR website, was really beneficial instead of just learning about it from me.”

An all-around game is what the 12th-ranked 2023 outfielder in New England believes he can provide at the next level.

“I’ll definitely bring speed, that’s the most valuable part of my game,” the left-handed hitting Gallagher said. “Being a versatile player is something else I can bring. If they need an infielder I can do that. If I keep working, I will also bring more power.”

Business is the college major Gallagher is considering, with economics “the backup plan” for the 3.6 student at Milton Academy.

“This all became a reality when I started getting calls from Northeastern and Navy,” Gallagher noted. “It’s crazy. Two years before I never thought it was a possibility, especially with Covid. 

“To make a commitment is a big stress relief. The last eight to 10 months have really been stressful. Seeing other coaches in the stands now, I can play relaxed.”

There is a lot to look forward to when it comes to playing college baseball.

“Being on campus, fall practice and building bonds with teammates is going to be fun,” the 18-year-old concluded. “It will be nice to reunite with kids I haven’t seen since leaving Duxbury. But for now I’m putting the work in for my upcoming senior year.”