SEC Dream Becomes Reality For Calabrese

David Calabrese OF / St. Elizabeth CHS, ON / 2020

MAPLE, Ontario - David Calabrese is admittedly grateful for the opportunity to play in the Southeastern Conference.

“It means everything to play in the SEC,” related Calabrese, who recently made a commitment to Arkansas. “It’s been a long, long dream of mine and something I’ve worked relentlessly toward. It’s a dream come true to commit to a school in the SEC and I’m very thankful and blessed. Now I have to keep working hard to be the best I can be to compete in the SEC.”

Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn saw the second-ranked senior in Ontario at the Future Games in August.

“That was an awesome event,” Calabrese reflected. “It was cool to be surrounded by such great competition, both on my team and our opponents.”

There was a lot that stood out about the play of the 5-11 160-pound left-handed hitting outfielder.

“They liked my speed, my hitting and how I played center field,” Calabrese said of Arkansas. “They think I can be a game-breaker.”

It ended a recruiting process that saw Calabrese reclassify from 2021 to 2020 earlier in the summer.

“I never doubted myself,” the St. Elizabeth CHS senior said. “I always challenged myself and used my dream as motivation. This year it came to fruition. I just kept working hard and stayed determined. I look forward to playing in the SEC.”

Others saw the potential shown by the 251st-rated 2020 player in North America.