August 28, 2022

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

Ontario Terriers left-hander Luca Alagheband has committed to one of the most prestigious schools in the United States.

On August 13, Alagheband (Toronto, Ont.) announced he will be furthering his academic and baseball career at Harvard. When the school showed interest in his talents both in the classroom and on the field, it was an easy decision for the young southpaw.

"During the recruiting process, Harvard was my dream school," Alagheband said. "I desired to attend a top-academic school with competitive athletics, and Harvard fit both of those traits. As soon as Coach Decker offered, I accepted."

Alagheband's time with the Terriers has been valuable to his development both on and off the field. Not only has he improved as a pitcher under the guidance of Terriers coaches, he's also learned how to deal with adversity through a tough schedule and high demands.

"The Terriers have allowed me to develop physically and mentally," he said. "Coach Boatto has played an excellent role in improving my mechanics, off-speed pitches, and velocity. Coach Pollard and Willins taught me to enjoy the game of baseball and, in tight situations, to always remember that baseball is just a game."

Like most players experience throughout the recruitment process, it featured highs and lows, but that's just all part of it, Alagheband says. If he could give advice to younger players on how to deal with it, it would be to do so with confidence.

"The recruiting process was filled with numerous ups and downs," he said. "The essential advice I can give is not to become discouraged if a coach thinks negatively of your ability to play the game. Believing in yourself and trusting that your skills will guide you to the next step is vital. Many athletes fail during this process due to their loss of self-confidence."

Now that his next baseball destination is decided, it's time to prepare to arrive on campus. His main goals are to improve his overall strength and continue to develop and mature as a pitcher.

Once on campus, Alagaheband is committed to helping his team win in any role they want to see him fill.

"Once I arrive, my goal is to have the ability to impact the team’s success on the field," he said "Whether it be relieving in tight situations or pitching deep innings, I will always attempt to better the team. Another goal is to successfully balance school life with athletics. It won’t be straightforward, but it’s manageable with the excellent resources that Harvard provides to their students."