WEST HARTFORD, Ct. - Interest began in 2020 when the fastball velo for Nick Kane reached 85 miles an hour at a PBR event. Attention soared at the next showcase when the hard-throwing right-hander hit the coveted number of 90 on the radar.

Soon after, the Conard junior was a Sacred Heart commit.

“I threw 90 at the PBR event at the end of February and in March they offered,” Kane said of the Northeast Conference school. “They were my number one choice. It’s been my dream all along to play D-I baseball and they checked all the boxes. It’s the right distance from home, it’s not too close and not too far.”

The sixth-ranked 2022 right-handed pitcher in New England worked hard to get the recognition desired from programs at the next level.

“The big thing this year was getting video out anyway you can,” Kane explained. “Going through my coaches helped get it out there. Then seeing those numbers I’ve been reaching for was a big confidence booster. It really helped out. The first PBR showcase pushed my name out there and after the second one I got a lot of calls over the next few days.”

Northeastern and Fordham were among the schools showing an interest before Sacred Heart moved to the front with an offer that the 6-4 195-pounder eventually took.

“My sophomore year I played in a fall showcase league and that’s when I thought I could do this,” Kane reflected. “That got me excited about doing this. Then at the first PBR event I hit 85. The rankings came out and I was happy where I was with that. Then UConn started talking to me. It all really picked up thanks to the PBR showcase.”

The University of Maryland, Baltimore also showed interest in the second-ranked uncommitted junior pitcher in New England at the time. However, Kane felt Sacred Heart was the right choice for him.

“I went to the campus and walked around,” Kane said. “It really had a good feel. The campus is awesome and they have such great well-respected coaches. It just had that feeling to me that it was the right place.”

Improvement helped the cause in the recruiting process.

“I improved a lot this last year,” the 20th-rated junior in New England related. “I worked a lot with my pitching coach and really hit the weight room. I’m bigger and stronger and my confidence is up. I always feel I’m in control on the mound.”

There was a lot to like about Kane in the eyes of Sacred Heart.

“My fastball has always been a big part about my pitching,” Kane noted. “I take pride in that. I’m also a big kid, so they liked my projectability.”

The ability to throw 90 miles an hour certainly does not hurt.

“That first time I hit 90 on the radar gun at the PBR was definitely a big milestone for me,” Kane admitted. “I’ve been thinking about that since my sophomore year when I hit 85 at a PBR event.”

Pitching coach Tommie Winn is credited by Kane with the increased velo.

“My pitching coach really helped with mechanical things,” Kane said. “After that I started throwing harder to help me get to the point I am now.”

Undecided on a college major, Kane believes he can be a huge asset to the Sacred Heart program.

“I’m very competitive, I love winning,” explained Kane, who carries a 3.475 GPA at Conard. “I’ll go out and do whatever I can to help the team win. I’ve got a lot of confidence when I’m pitching and I want to make the most of the opportunity I have in front of me.”

When the decision became final, Kane admits to a feeling of excitement knowing where his future is now at in his life.

“It’s amazing knowing that all the hard work has paid off,” Kane concluded. “Finally, my dream to commit to a D-I school has been reached and I’m super excited about it. But there’s still a lot of hard work to do.”