FOXBORO, Ma. - When Foxboro High School played in the Division 3 state semifinals at the University of Massachusetts Lowell back in June, Sean O’Leary decided it was not the last time that he wanted to play on the field at LeLacheur Park.

“What really made me want to play there was playing on their field in the state semifinals,” O’Leary explained. “It was under the lights and was so cool. The stadium was awesome. I’d played there before but never with that kind of atmosphere.”

Now a commit to the American East Conference school, O’Leary had been in contact with UMass Lowell prior to the Final Four game against Austin Prep.

“They first saw me at the Future Games, that’s when they first started having interest in me,” the fourth-rated senior third baseman in New England related in reference to the PBR event in Georgia last summer of 2021. “I also did two or three camps there.”

But the state semis made an impression for both O’Leary and UMass Lowell.

“They reached out to me almost immediately after the game,” O’Leary noted.

The 6-1 210-pound left-handed hitter had a two-run single in the contest, following up a three-hit, five-RBI quarterfinal game that included a pair of triples.

“They hope I’ll be a good bat for the program and that everything else develops at first base or third base,” O’Leary said. “They like that I can go to all parts of the field and they think that I can be a power hitter for them.”

Radford and UNC Asheville were other colleges that showed interest in the 38th-ranked 2023 in New England.

“There was interest but nothing like Lowell,” O’Leary pointed out. “It was constant and directly with (head) coach (Ken) Harring, like he really wanted me there. That was important.”

There was more that O’Leary liked about UMass Lowell.

“It’s a 40-minute drive from home,” O’Leary said. “It’s important to have family and friends there to see me play, but to still have a new college feel.”

The idea of playing at the next level took off in eighth grade for the 22nd-rated senior from Massachusetts.

“I was in conversations early on after a PBR event when I hit 98 velo,” O’Leary reflected. “I had schools reach out and after that I seriously knew I wanted college baseball in my future.”

The recruiting process had its ups and downs after that.

“It was really stressful, but at the same time I was playing baseball everyday getting video out there, especially with PBR showcases,” O’Leary said. “I sent them video and they retweeted it which for me was huge. Then I was invited to the Future Games which was huge, too. That was awesome.”

Recent improvement helped the cause according to O’Leary.

“What really has improved for me is definitely my hitting,” O’Leary noted. “I focused on getting more swings in and getting more power and it showed this summer with NEB. I batted in the two-hole and three-hole for them and hit .400 which was big. NEB has so much respect from coaches.”

High school head coach Derek Suess along with Chris Sullivan, Ned Brigham, Johnny Adams and his father Kevin O’Leary “have all been a huge influence and help on my career” according to the 17-year-old.

“They’ve all been coaches for me,” O’Leary said. “Everyone reached out for me as did my cousin Johnny Adams who went to Boston College. My dad played at Bridgewater State and has a lot of friends from baseball. He was in the Brewers’ organization so he has a lot of connections.”

A commitment, admittedly, brought a great amount of enjoyment to O’Leary.

“The whole family was part of the process, my dad especially,” O’Leary said. “To know where I’m going and know what I’ve worked toward has been accomplished is a huge comfort. Now I have to work toward new goals.”

A 3.0 student still undecided on a college major, O’Leary envisions making an impact once in the college program at Lowell.

“I’m a leader for my high school team so I want to continue and do that for UMass Lowell,” O’Leary said. “I’m inspired to do that. Off the field I hope to be that guy that keeps everyone motivated and ready to work.”

There is more that O’Leary is looking forward to when it comes to college.

“Besides playing, I can't wait to be able to build relationships for four years,” O’Leary concluded. “Traveling with all of them will be nothing like I’ve ever done before.”