More than Genes: Daniel Lombardozzi
When Steve Lombardozzi started in the 1987 World Series for the eventual champion Minnesota Twins, he affirmed his place as the most accomplished baseball player in the Lombardozzi family. This all may change with his nephew, Daniel.
With baseball legacy in his favor, senior Daniel Lombardozzi had to take advantage of it. “I began in T-ball when I was like six or so, and my dad and all my uncles played, so I had to follow their steps,” says Lombardozzi.
Apparently, those same traits that his father and uncles inherited before him now run through the blood stream of Herndon’s ace. Lombardozzi began pitching for Herndon when he was in his sophomore year, and over the past two seasons Lombardozzi has compiled impressive statistics; in ’04 he went 4-1 with a 2.14 ERA and 26 strikeouts, and in ’05 he went 6-3 with a 3.10 ERA and 79 strikeouts.
Heredity is helpful, but one of the more instrumental contributors to his success is his conditioning. “He’s worked at it, and he’s gotten a lot stronger and bigger physically. This allows him to throw harder, and have better control over his pitches,” says Coach Al McCullock.
His conditioning most certainly pays off when it comes to the best pitch of his repertoire, his fast ball. He can throw his heater as hard as 91 miles per hour.
Next year, Lombardozzi will be throwing his fastballs in a new venue. He has already signed on with Coastal Carolina University, located in Conway, South Carolina. “Their coaching staff is great, and they’re all young guys and they know a lot,” says Lombardozzi, “And it’s my best option of pitching early and getting a lot of playing time.”
Yet, Lombardozzi still has his eyes on this season’s prize. His goals include winning the districts first, and then go from there…regions, then states. This is more than plausible; Herndon began this season ranked fifth in the Washington Post rankings, after a 16-7 season last year in which they reached the regional semifinals.
If Lombardozzi pushes his team far enough, he will likely win individual accolades, including one of his personal goals, Washington Post All-Met.
Though, baseball is more than just competition for Lombardozzi. One of his favorite aspects of being on the varsity baseball team is just practicing every day and spending time with his friends out there.
Of course, on game day he has a more serious mentality, one which helps him achieve in the mental part of baseball. “Before games I just get in the zone, and concentrate on what I’m going to do. We come up with a game plan; how I’m going to attack hitters, and basically I just go over it and make sure I know what we’re doing,” says Lombardozzi.
Family tradition has certainly aided Lombardozzi’s development into one of the best high school pitchers in Northern Virginia, but his conditioning and preparation have been paramount to his success.
Leading by example has proved beneficial to the success of his team as well. As Herndon senior third baseman Tyler Martin put it, “He’s a leader.”
