Five from the 315: Utica’s Own Rising Stars
by: Gabriella Trevisani
Austin Stoquert. Ryan Cook. Matt Destefanis. Logan Pullman. Nate Pcola. You might be wondering, what do these five names have in common? Well, first of all, they’re all baseball players–pitchers, to be exact. But, most importantly, they’re products of the 315–homegrown in Utica, NY, where baseball is more than a game, but a way out, a stepping stone to somewhere bigger. These five athletes aren’t just standout players, but symbols of the values we, Uticans, hold dear: the grit, the hustle and quiet determination that make our small city the place we know and love. From early mornings at the cages to long nights under the lights at Murnane, these five boys, who will share the field for the very first time tonight, have spent their entire young lives under the same roof, carving their own path, but breathing the same Utica air. Today, before one of the most important days in a Blue Sox season–Pink the Park–I sat down with all five of them to discuss their humble upbringing and what keeps them hustling in the Big U.
Without further ado, here’s five questions with the Utica 5…
1.What’s your earliest memory of playing baseball here? What was the spark that made you fall in love with the game?
Nate Pcola: “T-ball, definitely. I don’t have any specific memories, but it sparked my love of baseball, for sure”.
Logan Pullman: “My grandma and my dad took me to Murnane and we went to see a high school playoff game…I’ve always been intrigued by Murnane and it’s kind of like the Big Leagues for kids. And my spark? I’ve just always had fun with baseball, it’s always been a fun place in my brain where I could look back and find good memories.”
Matt Destefanis: “T-ball. My second hit ever. Hit a line drive, hit a kid in the back of the head. That kind of sparked my love of the game (laughs)”.
Austin Stoquert: “Playing wiffle ball in my backyard with my little brother and my dad. Also, going up to Deerfield school and hitting balls there with all of my buddies. That got me to where I am today and sparked my love of baseball”.
Ryan Cook: “My dad used to own a sports complex called Field of Dreams in Schuyler and I used to be there all of the time. Playing wiffle ball, throwing balls, hitting balls in the cage, playing catch. And then going up to the Marcy Town park, I played Minor A there. I wasn’t very good back then, so I remember striking out a lot. But baseball’s a game of failure and learning, so I definitely learned a little bit from that”.
2. How does it feel to represent the 315 on your jersey, especially now with other local guys beside you?
Nate Pcola: “I’m pretty excited, but I’m a little nervous. More excited than nervous.”
Matt Destefanis: “Utica’s competition’s great. It’s a lot warmer down there in Florida, and we play year-round. So there’s some adjusting, but I’m looking forward to it!”
Austin Stoquert: “It means supporting the Utica area and everyone you grew up with. Seeing the people you grew up with at the games. And hearing them tell you that they used to know you, went to camp with you. And the camaraderie– it’s super cool”.
Ryan Cook: “I remember being a kid and coming to these games when we were younger, and I train kids too. It’s just cool being a part of that. It means a lot knowing that there’s kids that look up to you, bad or good outing. It doesn’t really matter to them, it’s just a game and you have to respect that. So knowing that there are kids watching you that want to be like you, it grounds you.
(Stoquert adds: “I was one of those kids when I was younger, I would root for the players like they were the Yankees or a professional team. So I see myself in those kids, for sure”).
3. What’s the most rewarding/toughest part about being a pitcher in front of your hometown crowd?
Logan Pullman: “I think pitching is exciting because when you win, you win big and when you fail, you fail big. Anything worth going for, you’re always going to have that risk of big failure. And I think that’s what makes it exciting”.
Matt Destefanis: “You’ve got to play good, everyone knows you around here. So you have to live up to your name”.
Austin Stoquert: “It feels good when you walk out–they announce your name and you get a huge crowd reaction because they know that you’re from the area”.
Ryan Cook: “I agree (with Austin) When there’s a lot of local kids, you get a little bit bigger of an ovation. It’s pretty cool. And the Taco Bell K-man’s pretty cool too” (Shoutout Timmy Ice!).
4. You’ve got one night in Utica with the team—where are you all going?
Nate Pcola: “I would go to an amusement park, Cedar Point (State Park)”. (Not in Utica, but we’ll take it 🙂 )
Logan Pullman: “For food, I would have to go with Slice”.
Matt Destefanis: “Venice (Pizzeria), just because I love the steak and cheese subs there”.
Ryan Cook: “I definitely think Venice. A lot of the guys on my team have been like, “Yeah, I’ve had chicken riggies, they’re not that good. It’s just pasta with vodka sauce. No, I feel like Venice is the epitome of what chicken riggies are in this area. To get the full Utica experience, Venice is probably the place I would take guys if I wanted them to taste Utica”.
Austin Stoquert: “Right down the road (from Venice), Voss’ too!”
5. Why is it important for the Blue Sox to support causes like Pink the Park?
Logan Pullman: “It’s good to play for someone who has gone through trauma. And as baseball players, we have the opportunity to do something cool out there and that’s part of what makes tonight special, playing and fighting for those who are close to us”.
Matt Destefanis: “It shows that the Blue Sox are bigger than baseball which is a good thing to have and continue”.
Ryan Cook: “I think it’s important to bridge the gap between baseball and other causes. My aunt died from breast cancer, so it’s definitely a cause that hits close to home. Baseball, it’s definitely a popular game, so bridging the gap between entertainment and a cause, to show support for something is definitely huge”.
Austin Stoquert: “No matter where you’re from, everybody has known somebody or has somebody close to them that has dealt with cancer and it’s obviously a big issue. It’s important to spread awareness. It gives you something to play for, and realize that sometimes there are things that are bigger than baseball”.
