Saugus’ Pizzano to continue baseball journey at Columbia

Saugus resident Dario Pizzano enjoyed success in both Little League and high school baseball. Now he has a chance to continue the sport in the Ivy League.Pizzano, who played on both the Saugus American Little League squad that made a World Series bid in 2003, and the Malden Catholic High School team that captured a Catholic Conference title last season, has announced his intention to enter the Division 1 program at Columbia in the fall.”I went there, and I liked New York City,” Pizzano said on Monday, echoing a sentiment shared by many others who have visited the Big Apple. “I felt like I could see myself there the next four years.”Last year, as Pizzano’s Lancers were winning a conference championship, the Lions were capturing an Ivy title. Columbia achieved the feat with a 7-5 decision over Dartmouth in May. The Lions advanced to the regional round of the NCAA tournament, where they were eliminated after losing to Coastal Carolina, 10-2, and East Carolina, 9-0, in Conway, S.C. (While the Lions did not make it to the College World Series, an alumnus played in the major league version. Fernando Perez ’04 was a member of the Tampa Bay Rays squad that lost in five games to the Philadelphia Phillies this fall.)Before he decided upon Columbia, Pizzano had considered Brown, Dartmouth, Bryant, Holy Cross, the University of Rhode Island, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He learned of Columbia’s acceptance on Sept. 28, the weekend of his official campus visit. He made his verbal commitment that weekend.It has been a busy senior year for Pizzano, who is taking all Advanced Placement classes. However, with his post-graduation plans made, he can now focus on a goal for his final high school baseball season: Winning a state title.”I can’t wait,” Pizzano said. “I want a state championship. We came so close last year.”Last season, Pizzano batted third and played left field for the Lancers. A loss to Boston College High School in the Eastern Mass. state semifinal last season prevented MC from advancing to the state championship game. The school last won a state title in 2003, the same year Pizzano and his fellow Little Leaguers were playing in South Williamsport, Pa.Hoping for additional success in both high school and college, Pizzano reflected upon his past success with Saugus American.”Definitely, that experience made me work 24-7 on baseball, baseball, baseball,” he said. “The Little League World Series tournament was unbelievable, the best experience of my life.”