Championship celebration is validation for Eastern's Bagdasarian

Jun. 17—WINDHAM — As Eastern Connecticut State University baseball coach Brian Hamm was thanking the crowd gathered in Eastern's student center Thursday to celebrate the Warriors' Division III national championship win, senior outfielder Ryan Bagdasarian couldn't help but tune his coach out.

Not because he wasn't grateful, but rather the Glastonbury High grad's eyes kept drifting over his right shoulder towards a television inside the student center's café.

On the screen was a replay of Eastern's 3-2 win over Salisbury in Game 2 of the best-of-three national championship series June 7 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The final time Bagdasarian glanced over, he saw himself collect a two-run single in the fifth inning, a hit that proved to be the championship-clincher.

"When we walked in, I filed in in the back a little bit because I wanted to see it over my shoulder," Bagdasarian said with a smile. "I was able to watch it. Just going back and watching it, it makes you appreciate it. Picking up the guys. (Pitcher) Billy (Oldham) got his 12th win of the season because of that. It's just awesome all the way around."

The Warriors, who finished the season 49-3 and unanimously ranked No. 1 nationally, entered the student center Thursday to the applause of many faculty members, student workers, friends and family.

"It just shows the amount of support we have at a school like this with such a great community and great people around us," Zach Donahue, a utility player from South Windsor, said about the event.

Not only was it a chance to celebrate the team and its fifth national championship, and first since 2002, it was an opportunity for the Warriors to say thank you as well.

"You see (faculty members) around the ballpark during the season," said Tim Pfaffenbichler, a pitcher from Windsor Locks. "We always knew they had the support for us. But seeing everyone here together; the parents, the fans, the faculty, everyone that supported us, it's unbelievable."

And for Bagdasarian, seeing the turnout was the validation of a decision to transfer to Eastern in 2020.

"I kind of took a risk and wanted to try to enjoy my last two and a half years of college." he said. "They all welcomed me with open arms. I've talked to some of my professors and my teammates. It was one of the greatest decisions I could've made. They're like family to me."

Bagdasarian, a 2016 graduate of Glastonbury High, began his career at UConn Avery Point in Groton. He spent two seasons with the Pointers before transferring to the Storrs campus.

He was a member of the baseball team, but redshirted his only season with the Huskies.

After three semesters, Bagdasarian transferred to Eastern in January 2020.

"I was like it's a perfect fit. I knew some of these guys before and let's just do it," he said. "My cousin (second baseman) Mark Bagdasarian is my best friend. We live together, I've known him my whole life. It's just family ties too. It's been one of the greatest experiences ever."

In his senior season, Bagdasarian started all 51 games he played. He posted a .358 batting average, a .431 on-base percentage and a .549 slugging percentage.

He had 73 hits, including six home runs, 51 RBIs, 56 runs scored and 11 stolen bases. He also posted a 1.000 fielding percentage.

"The biggest impact that he made in the program was the joy that he brings to the game, and how much he shows the love that he has for his teammates and the game," Hamm said. "He's really lighthearted."

Perhaps even bigger than his stats was Bagdasarian's ability to perform in clutch situations.

He hit a game-tying two-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth of a 5-4 win over Middlebury May 22, a win that clinched the Rochester, New York Regional title.

In the Warriors' series-clinching 7-6 win over Rowan in 13 innings in Game 2 of the Mansfield Super Regional a week later, Bagdasarian had a RBI hit by pitch in the top of the 13th to put Eastern up for good.

Then came his two-out, two-run single to give the Warriors a 3-1 lead over Salisbury in Game 2 of the national championship series.

"Those are the things you imagine when you're a kid," Bagdasarian said. "To have three opportunities to do it this season was unbelievable."

Bagdasarian has a year of collegiate eligibility left, but said that he believes this past season was his last.

"I battled through some injuries this season, and I didn't play a game healthy," he added. "I think I need to give my body a break and start to make some money. I've had enough fun and I can definitely go out saying that I had one of my greatest experiences of my life."

And each time he relives those experiences, like he did Thursday afternoon, the reaction will be the same.

"It's like, 'holy (crap), I'm a national champion,'" Bagdasarian said. "I don't know, it's just like the most unbelievable experience. The most perfect way to end a career. Perfect."

Broadhurst has plan set

As he was signing a baseball Thursday afternoon, third baseman Luke Broadhurst was taking in the moment.

"You don't get too many opportunities to win championships," the Stafford High grad said. "For us to get to this point and break through and actually do it, it's indescribable."

While his memories with the Warriors will last a lifetime, Broadhurst will move on from Eastern for his final year of eligibility.

"My plan right now is to go back to UConn to do a graduate program there and finish out my college career back where I started," he said.

Broadhurst transferred to Eastern in the spring of 2019 after three injury-plagued semesters in Storrs. He never played a game for the Huskies.

Broadhurst shined during his final season with the Warriors. He posted a .406 batting average and a .531 on-base percentage. In 46 games, he had 67 hits, including 13 homers, 50 RBIs, 60 runs scored and 12 stolen bases.

"I'm proud for sure," Broadhurst said. "But the most important thing to me in coming back was the success of this team and being with this group of guys. So I knew if I did my part that we were going to be a great team."

Broadhurst will play summer ball for the Bristol Blues of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. He said he still hopes to enter the conversation for the 2022 MLB Draft, which runs from July 17-19.

"I think I have a lot I can offer," he added. "I think I'm at a point now where I have the ability to play professionally. But if that doesn't come to fruition this summer, I'm very excited to go to UConn and play another year there."

For coverage of the Connecticut Sun and professional women's basketball, Hartford Athletic pro soccer team, as well as area high school and local youth sports, follow Adam Betz on Twitter: @AdBetz1, Facebook: Adam Betz — Sports Writer, and Instagram: @AdBetzJI.