Ernesto Lopez isn’t overlooked anymore.
Overshadowed for most of his career by his bigger-name teammates, the Grand Street Campus catcher/third baseman found himself in the spotlight Monday night.
The PSAL Class A triple crown winner, Lopez was honored as the PSAL Wingate Award winner, given to the top senior in each sport, Monday night at the Brooklyn Marriott.
“All the kids were going to big colleges, like Princeton and Harvard,” said the humble and quiet Lopez, who has signed with top JUCO LSU-Eunice, along with teammate Gerry Gonzalez, Grand Street’s ace left-hander. “I was proud to be in this group. It was exciting, my first time winning an award like that.”
When Lopez took the podium, he showed the humility that has made him such a favorite among coaches and teammates. He thanks everyone he’s come across in his high school career, from teachers to coaches and even his parents and friends.
“It means a lot, it means you’re the best senior [in your sport],” he said.
The honor capped a memorable year for the Bushwick native, who led Class A in home runs (five), RBIs (26) and batting average (.610) as he helped lead Grand Street to its first ever baseball city championship. In the finals, he homered over the left-field wall at MCU Park, the difference in Grand Street’s 2-1 win over defending champion George Washington.
“I never expected my career to end like this,” he said. “Every day I wake up and I can’t believe we won.”
He was an afterthought back in March, as so much attention was paid to Grand Street’s Maryland-bound duo Jose Cuas and Kevin Martir, a Xaverian transfer, and electric leadoff man Basael McDonald. He wasn’t even invited to the Scout’s Scrimmage, the annual showcase played in front of Major League Baseball scouts.
“He’s probably the most overlooked great talent in New York City,” Grand Street coach Melvin Martinez said.
The omission bothered Lopez, but like most setbacks, he channeled it into workouts, the reason he gave for his monster senior season. During the offseason, he hit in a park nearby his Bushwick home every day. There were times in the rain and the snow he was out there, hitting off of a tee or taking dry swings.
“I proved myself the whole season,” he said. “I had a great season, winning all these awards. I played my best and look what happened. A lot of things came my way and I’m of that.”
Lopez ‘s journey is just beginning. He will play a full summer schedule with the Long Island Tigers before heading to LSU-Eunice at the end of August.
“This is like a first step for my career,” he said. ““Hard work does pay off, but I’m still not done. I have to keep working hard to continue into college. Even though I didn’t get drafted, it doesn’t mean anything. It’s a boost to my work ethic. I just have to work harder.”