It’s the dream of all student-athletes to continue competing at the highest level, long after their academic careers have ended. For former Sonoma State baseball standout Nick Nosti, his dream is becoming a reality as the former Seawolf will head overseas to Rovigo, Italy to play professional baseball in Promozione Series A.
Nick has endured a long journey to reach this pinnacle, beginning at the age of two when he first picked up a baseball and played catch with his father in their backyard. From then on, Nick achieved success at all levels, from his first little league team at the age of eight, all the way through high school at Terra Linda High in San Rafael.
A local product, Nick was recruited by Sonoma State and spent his freshman year as a redshirt, before he transferred to the College of Marin for two years. Nick made a triumphant return to Sonoma State his junior year in 2007, hitting .315 in 55 games and leading the Seawolves with 12 stolen bases.
It was in 2008, however, where Nick's star shined the brightest. In helping the Seawolves to an unprecedented run to the College World Series in Sauget, Ill., Nosti batted .381 with six triples. While his offensive prowess may have earned the admiration of the fans, it was his solid defense that made him a multi-faceted player. Playing in centerfield, Nick excelled with his glove, only committing one error the entire season, as well as providing six assists from the field.
Nick is no stranger to playing outside of Northern California. In the summer of 2006, he played in Saskatchewan, Canada where his exploits took him across the country to different provinces. Back in the States, Nick saw action in Edenton, North Carolina during the summer of 2007, where he traveled to South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. During this run, Nick was selected to the league’s All Star team.
After completing his senior year at Sonoma State, Nick was recruited by the Italian League Promozione Series A, where a former player from SSU, Dennis Peters, helped recruit Nick. In order to play in Italy, Nick had to obtain his Italian citizenship, which according to Nick, “has been a very lengthy process.”
In addition to his salary, Nick will be provided with an apartment, shared use of a car and airfare expenses. While Nick is unsure of the road that lies ahead, the league he will compete in consists of other teams in and around Northern and Central Italy. Nick will be playing in Rovigo, which is just an hour outside of Venice. On how long it will take him to adjust to his new surroundings, Nick said, “Don't really know much about what’s to come in Italy other than playing baseball, I’m sure things will be very new for me.”