As an infielder, Cole Daignault is used to taking some shots off the crack of the bat. Yet he truly showcased his durability as a competitor and dedication as a leader by being a persistently positive presence for his squad through a major setback.

The Hand baseball team senior captain and third baseman has played the game since the age of 5 and at all levels, including travel and AAU ball. Cole has continued to exhibit his duties and responsibilities as a senior captain despite having not played since May. In April, Cole suffered a bone break in his hand and, while he required surgery in May, he persevered and attempted to play through the pain until the surgery date and still served as a stellar steward in the Tigers’ dugout.

“It has taken a lot of hard work, dedication, and staying consistent. I spent time in the offseason in the weight room and working on speed. I also prioritized getting together with the guys in the offseason to get in work and build chemistry,” says Cole, who also played football for Hand. “The injury was in the fifth game of the year against Prep. I fouled the first pitch backwards and felt a sharp pain shoot down my wrist. I thought it was a stinger, but I couldn’t grip the bat. I finished the at-bat with a hit, but then I could not squeeze my glove at third. I told myself to grind it out and I did not want to let my teammates down.”

With the backing of his sound support system, Cole continued to compete. He noted that while he could have sulked and sought out sympathy from the setback, he refused to make excuses and gave his maximum effort.

“My family was a big factor, because they gave me the freedom to play until I couldn’t anymore. It was a difficult time for me because I had just committed to the University of Hartford and got my swing where I wanted it during the offseason,” Cole says. “I went to multiple doctors and they could not figure it out until after taking x-rays. The support of everyone helped me grind through the injury. The will to not give up and be there for my teammates really helped carry me through.”

Over at the hot corner, as balls came firing towards his direction, Cole used his time there to showcase his durability as a third baseman and athlete while simultaneously making big time stops to shut the door on any potential trouble for the Tigers’ defense.

“I love playing third base, because since I was little, my dad always told me to take the ball off the chest for any that came near me. I love the toughness aspect of it,” says Cole. “It is such a critical position, too; I love helping the pitcher get out of a jam. It is a difficult position, but it is not if you do not look at it that way and are not afraid of the ball.”

Hand baseball skipper Travis LaPointe adds that despite the trials and tribulations of Cole’s campaign this spring, his response to the adversity of the injury proved to be only positive in terms of his personal development and providing a spiritual and emotional lift to the team.

“Cole has been a constant source of leadership, energy, and inspiration for us. He was our starting third baseman for us this season and towards the middle of April, he broke a bone in his hand that needed surgery,” says LaPointe. “He battled through the pain to keep playing as long as possible before the surgery was scheduled in early May. Despite the injury, his attitude never changed, and he continued to be a positive force for us at our practices and in our games. Although he cannot add statistical value for our team, he continues to add constant value for us every single day. Although it can’t be measured, it is significant. Cole is an excellent person and his character, integrity, and toughness has shined through this year. We are lucky to have him.”

Looking to attain a major in finance and a minor in real estate while a member of the University of Hartford Hawks’ baseball club, Cole will harness all of his high school experiences as a remembrance tool to keep his cool during trials and tribulations in the future–particularly how he handled this spring senior season with grace, class, and maturity well beyond his years.

“I am certainly going to use my time in high school and lessons learned from it later in life,” Cole says. “I have learned that sports has set me up to not give up or get down on myself. This situation this year will certainly help me later to be positive and not give up.”

In closing, Cole explains how being part of the Tigers’ clubhouse for the last few campaigns has shined an illuminating light for life on what can truly be achieved when the body and mind are in sync and work together to overcome any hurdle, squad, deficit, or pitch count.

“I have known Coach LaPointe for years, and I have always liked him a lot as a coach,” says Cole. “The atmosphere here with Hand baseball is all about being tough and not giving in. I learned that if you battle through, you can prevail and beat your opponent.”