Merrick Sullivan struggled to stand out on Benet’s freshman team.
His 5-foot-2, 120-pound frame wasn’t the only reason.
“He wasn’t one of the top guys,” Benet co-coach Jorge Acosta said. “It’s a very competitive class.”
Sullivan had been playing baseball since just after his third birthday but was fighting for reps — and wasn’t getting many.
“I didn’t get to play a lot,” he said. “I was always used to travel ball, where we’d play a bunch of games every year, so coming to high school and not playing too many games was an obstacle.”
Sullivan remained engaged, however.
“It was kind of hard for him to be off the field freshman year,” Benet senior outfielder Josh Gugora said. “But even when he wasn’t playing, he was always pushing his teammates to be the best they could be.
“Then he got his opportunity and hasn’t looked back.”
Indeed, Sullivan has become one of Benet’s senior leaders — and as the starting second baseman, he gets plenty of playing time.
“It’s definitely a lot better than not playing,” he said. “I come to school every day and think about playing or even just practicing after school because I love it so much.”
The 5-11, 190-pound Sullivan has emerged as one of the key pieces for the Redwings (10-7, 4-3), who are in the top half of the East Suburban Catholic Conference standings and are aiming to improve on their Class 3A regional title last season. Sullivan has posted a .449 on-base percentage and leads the team in total hits, doubles and triples.
“We don’t designate captains, but if we had to, Merrick would definitely be one of those guys,” Acosta said. “He’s not a cheerleading kind of rah-rah guy, but the guys listen to him, and everyone wants him for an at-bat in a big spot.
“Merrick is a throwback in a lot of ways. He’s a gym rat and is constantly in the cage, getting extra ground balls, all of those little things. It’s never about him individually, which is refreshing.”
Sullivan’s rise through the ranks will continue at Ithaca College, where he will play for the NCAA Division III program.
“My whole like life, I wanted to play at the highest level I could,” he said. “I know I’m not going to the pros, so I wanted to find a place where I can have a good balance of playing the sport I love and getting a good education for the rest of my life.”
Five Ithaca baseball alums have played in MLB, but Sullivan is focused on the next four years. Visiting the campus, he and his family fell in love with the finance program and the baseball staff.
“They made me feel like that could be my next home for the next four years,” Sullivan said. “I just want to prove to myself and show everybody that I can play, especially going to a place where I don’t know anybody other than the coaching staff. I want to make a name for myself up there.”
But first, Sullivan is driven to lead the Redwings through the sectional.
“If we win, I’m happy,” he said. “Obviously, I like to play well, but if you ask me, ‘Would you rather go 3-for-3 and lose, or go 0-for-5 and win?’ — I’m taking the win all day.”
Sullivan’s teammates notice that mindset.
“He’s such a team-first guy with a great mentality toward the game,” Gugora said. “He’s one of our best leaders out there.”
Sullivan has come a long way.
“He paid his dues and really earned everything that he’s gotten through his work,” Acosta said. “It’s very, very hard to be successful in our league, so the way he’s playing right now is just awesome.”
Sam Brief is a freelance reporter.
