Legendary athletes have been walking the halls of Westhampton Beach High School for many years.  From future NFL offensive lineman Dan Jiggets in the ’70s to star wrestler Paul Bass in the ’80s, we Hurricanes have a very rich athletic history.

Recent attention has been focused on Westhampton Beach’s newly committed lacrosse players to great schools like Syracuse, Marist, and others, or on superstar basketball players putting up 30 points every game. However, it is time that we focus on what has seemed to be almost the “forgotten sport” of Westhampton Beach. Baseball.

The Hurricane baseball program is ready to rise this year. Even in the wake of moving into the same league as defending Suffolk County Champion Bayport-Blue Point, these Hurricanes are ready to usher in a new era and write the story for the new Westhampton Beach baseball program.

All this is being taken on the shoulders of junior second baseman Daniel McEvoy.

McEvoy is preparing for his third season on the varsity squad this spring, getting ready to build on what was a stellar season last year.  He led the team in every offensive statistic, with the exception of batting average, although hitting a very solid .395.  On top of that, he hit two home runs and batted in 12 runs for the Hurricanes, and totaled up 12 extra base hits.  For playing an eighteen game season, that is certainly nothing to sneer at.

Daniel McEvoy has been playing great baseball so far as an underclassman, and has plans for his next two years to be the batter no pitcher ever wants to have to face.  So the question is, what can McEvoy do next?  This question has been answered, by Daniel’s delight, by none other than the Stony Brook Seawolves.

This exciting new power in college baseball has taken their chance on Daniel, and even though it is relatively early in his career, they have clearly seen big things in him. As soon as the offer came, he was eager to commit and in two years will be a proud member of the Stony Brook Seawolves Baseball program.

While Stony Brook doesn’t have the big name, perennial college program like a South Carolina or an LSU, the Seawolves have been doing big things over the past few years.  Two short seasons ago, Stony Brook brought an exciting College World Series run to the predominantly lacrosse world of Long Island.  Beating the traditional powers Miami in their Regionals and taking out national No. 7 seed LSU in the Super Regionals, in Baton Rouge nonetheless, the Seawolves shocked the world.  To this day when you go on to the Stony Brook Athletics website, the first thing you see is a large banner of the Seawolves 2012 squad, with the large caption in huge lettering, “#SHOCKTHEWORLD.”

To get inside the head of the future Seawolf star, I did a little Q and A with the man himself about baseball, Stony Brook, and his plans for after college.

Hurricane Eye: How long have you been playing baseball?

Daniel McEvoy: Since I could walk. I have pictures of me as a baby just able to walk holding a wiffle ball and bat.

Hurricane Eye: When did you realize baseball was your passion?

Daniel McEvoy: After my 8th grade football season. Baseball got hectic really quick and I had to choose between the two. I realized baseball would take me further in life.

Hurricane Eye: How excited are you to be a part of the Stony Brook program?

Daniel McEvoy: Oh man just bringing it up gives me chills. I am more than ecstatic, they have a great program there and they have recruited some serious talent. I’m glad to be a part of the talent they’re bringing in.

Hurricane Eye: What influenced your decision to choose Stony Brook?

Daniel McEvoy: A lot had to do with the vibe I got during a visit. Head coach Senk was just such a great guy made me feel at home. I felt like it was a home away from home.

Hurricane Eye: How do you plan on contributing and building on the legacy that the Seawolves have achieved over the past few years?

Daniel McEvoy: If it happens to be that I become good enough to set a few records by all means I would absolutely love to be in Seawolves history. I am going to go into Stony Brook and on the first day until the last day give 100 percent. Hopefully it will create a vibe that will spread to my teammates making them work even harder to realize that we are all here for a reason, a national championship.

Hurricane Eye: What does Stony Brook gain by not only signing McEvoy the player but also Daniel the person?

Daniel McEvoy: I have huge dreams and I also can be a great leader when given the opportunity. I feel that maybe not as a freshman but in my later years the younger players will be able to look up to me for help during their Stony Brook years. Even after my baseball career though I want to be somebody in this world, and when I have a degree from Stony Brook, I’ll be tied to them no matter where I go.

Hurricane Eye: Is it a dream of yours to go pro someday? Or is college baseball just going to be part of your ultimate journey?

Daniel McEvoy: Pro baseball sounds great and all but the chances are so slim. My dream all along was just to play D1 baseball. College baseball is just going to be a part of my ultimate journey. My true goal is to be able to live comfortably with a few nice cars in the garage.

Well it certainly seems like Daniel is truly ready for greatness.  You can tell by his mindset and personality that he is a winner and will have great success in his baseball life and beyond.  Even though it is down the road, we wish him the best in his career at Stony Brook.