by Kimberly Pena

Central Connecticut State University baseball player, Mitch Guilmette, has always seen baseball as a sport in which you never know enough.

Guilmette, who is a Bristol native, always seeks to improve on his craft during the CCSU season and off-season. He did so last summer when he played for the Bristol Blues to prepare himself for the upcoming 2018 season.

Guilmette is entering his senior year at CCSU and his fourth year as a student-athlete for the Blue Devils. In the 2017 season, Guilmette batted .331 in 48 games with two home runs and 35 RBI to help the Blue Devils reach the NCAA Regional round before being eliminated.

He explains how his time at CCSU has given him the confidence and preparation to grow as a player each year.

“The coaches at Central help me a lot,” said Guilmette. “They have been developing me for the past couple of years. I’d say my pitching coach is the one that got me in this league. They are basically the reason why I am here.”

In his career with the Central baseball team, Guilmette has batted .305 with three homeruns and 52 RBI. He also posted a respectable .394 OBP throughout his three-year career. One of his fondest memories so far at Central was during his freshman year where he hit a walk-off double against Bryant University.

Blues manager Ronnie Palmer has noticed the confidence Guilmette displayed during his summer at-bats.

“Mitch has just a quality approach as far as that’s concerned,” Palmer said. “He sees the ball well and everything. He is aggressive in a good hitter’s count and stuff. He usually gets a ball that he can drive.”

The 21-year-old left handed batter previously played baseball at Bristol Central High School. During his time there he earned the All-State honors, a recognition to those seen as a top prospect who has also earned statewide, or even national acclaim for his play in his high school career.

A player who Guilmette looks up to is Alfonso Soriano, former professional baseball player for the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, and the Washington Nationals. His favorite MLB team is the Los Angeles Angels.

With baseball in his blood, all Guilmette wants to do is to continue to work on his craft and provide the central crowd with the talent he was given.