By Colby Stolph
Sergio Decello, senior at Badin High, committed to Charleston Southern to play Division I baseball this fall. With his junior season being cancelled due to COVID, and his recent commitment, he is more amped for his final season than words can describe. Decello said this year, a state title is all they’ll accept.
“Our main goal is to win the state championship, as the season wouldn’t really be a success without it. The GCL title is a given, it always has been,” Decello said. “All of the boys are hard workers, going to the field everyday. The atmosphere is great and there aren’t any energy vampires, that’s such an important part to our dynamic.”
Decello has always been an all star in the green. He’s been a four year varsity starter for the Badin side, and is a very well rounded player. His love for baseball started at the age of three though. Sergio has played for top club teams like the Spikes, San Francisco Giants scout team, Arizona Diamondbacks scout team, and most recently the Milwaukee Brewers scout team. Decello has played since his earliest memory. He’s always known the game.
“I’ve always had a bat or ball in my hand. Baseball has never left my side,” Decello said. “Baseball helps me express myself, and it helps me tune all of the negative things in my life out. I can just focus on the fun of the game, and just ball out. I’m pretty good too, which helps.”
Charleston Southern and Badin are two baseball dynasties. Badin has had multiple state championship appearances, one only a few years in 2016, and won the chip in 1991 and 1996. Charleston Southern plays in the Big South Conference, filled with hefty Division I competition. The new head coach for the Bucs also just came from Ole Miss, just showing that this year the Bucs prepare to bring in lots of new talent.
Decello kept reiterating how baseball has always been his second home, and how a flame ignites in him on the diamond.
“I just hop out of bed everyday and turn my swag on. The rest is history.”