Hillsborough senior baseball player Jay Laurienzo has verbally committed to Florida Gulf Coast, a Division I program.

Laurienzo, an outfielder, was the Terriers’ top hitter as a junior, batting .441 with seven doubles, three triples, four home runs, 23 RBI and 24 runs scored. He was a Tribune All-Hillsborough County second team selection and a Class 5A all-state honorable mention selection last season. He also was named to the Saladino Tournament all-tournament team and was the Saladino Tournament Home Run Derby champion last season.

One of the things Laurienzo said played a factor in his decision was the rapport he was able to build with the Florida Gulf Coast coaching staff.

“First of all, talking to coaches, we hit it off. I really liked how coaches described what the plans were for me and the program in the future,” Laurienzo said.

Another factor was the proximity of the Fort Myers-based campus. Laurienzo spent this past summer playing with a summer travel team based in Midland, Ohio, and while he enjoyed his time with the team, he came to the realization he would like to play close to home.

“The campus is beautiful, and it’s only two hours away, depending on who you have driving – my mom or my dad,” Laurienzo said. “I could be close enough to where my parents could drive down for home stands, but not too close to where I can’t gain my independence.”

Florida Gulf Coast is a relatively new program, having been around only six years. However, the Eagles have enjoyed some pretty good success during that short period. Last season, their first at the Division I level, the Eagles went 35-18, including 25-8 in Atlantic Sun Conference play, which was tops in the league.

The Eagles weren’t eligible for postseason play last season because of the NCAA probabtionary period for transitioning programs, and won’t be until the first season Laurienzo plays with the team. The Terriers senior said he feels fortunate to be entering a program just as it seems to be taking off.

“I feel very fortunate,” Laurienzo said. “Just to come along at this point in time and what the school has to offer, it’s great.”