PEABODY — Bishop Fenwick senior Costa Beechin committed to play baseball and study academics at Massachusetts Maritime Academy this past December.The shortstop standout has accomplished more than most in a Crusaders uniform, and is ready for what lies ahead – both in the classroom, and in competition.
“I’m going to be majoring in facilities engineering. I feel Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a great opportunity,” Beechin said.
Beechin said “it was always a dream to play in college,” and feels this is a good pathway for his future.
“In addition, I wanted to just get a good head start at the next part of my life, with a great education and a great career afterwards,” Beechin said.
That’s not all – he was also a top player on Fenwick’s football team. Beechin caught 55 balls for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns this past fall – on top of 41 tackles, four interceptions, and two fumble recoveries on the defensive end – and has the option to continue with the sport in college.
“They also wanted me to play football, and I told them that I will keep it in mind. I just want to go through freshman year and get used to the school and just stick with one sport,” Beechin said. “It’s definitely a possibility to play both baseball and football. I love them both, so we’ll see.”
Beechin knew since his freshman year he had the potential to play collegiate baseball. For football, however, it was a different story.
“For baseball, I made varsity as a freshman so I had a feeling I could go further,” Beechin said. “In football, I never really thought football would be a thing I could play at the next level. Going into my junior year, I started to believe that I had the potential to play, and the windows of opportunity started to open.”
Beechin believes his competitive mindset began to form in eighth grade – that’s when he started to hit the weight room.
“I started to hit the weight room and get my mindset right in eighth grade,” Beechin said. “Bishop Fenwick really got me heading in the right direction going into football my freshman year.”
Beechin credits his Fenwick coaches and teammates for helping him realize his potential.
“Bishop Fenwick helped build me into a great character. They have great coaches who keep pushing me to be the best version of myself,” Beechin said. “My teammates have been great. They’re also pushing me and encouraging me and, even when I make a mistake, they’ll criticize me, which I use to focus on what I need to improve on. They’re great and always support me.”
When asked which sport truly outweighs the other in his mind, Beechin couldn’t decide.
“It’s tough. It’s kind of a switch-on, switch-off approach. When I’m in football, I love it, and then when I play baseball, I love it, so it’s really an on-and-off switch,” Beechin said.
But before he does his thing in college, he has unfinished business on Fenwick’s baseball diamond – to be exact, he has two goals.
“The team goal is to win the state championship,” Beechin said. “Personally, I want to lead the North Shore in hits. Last year, I was pretty close, so hopefully this year I’ll be able to finish number one.”
Whether the future holds one or two sports in store, the captain is ready to take his talents to the next level at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
