By Chris Villani

Sports Writer

Milford High School graduate Evan Cornelius completed a standout baseball career and will continue to pursue his athletic endeavors at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL.

“It’s a beautiful place, a great location, and they have a great history and culture of winning down there,” Cornelius said. “They have a bunch of great guys and hard workers, it’s a program I wanted to be a part of.”

Rollins, a Division II program, is coached by Jon Sjogren and advanced to the national title game last year after finishing third in the country in 2022. Cornelius said he got in touch with Sjogren after being recommended by MHS head baseball coach Alex Dion.

Cornelius said he is hoping to work his way into the starting rotation right away, but added that he’s willing to be flexible depending on what the team requires.

“I want to be a guy who will do whatever is needed,” he said. “I think the plan is for me to become a pitcher, but I have always played the field at first base, so if I can be a fit with the team in that aspect, I would be more than happy to do that.”

Since the Milford Legion season came to an end, Cornelius has been spending a few days a week in the weight room, lifting and working on baseball-specific workouts and a program that was put together for him during the offseason.

Cornelius’ transition to the college level comes after a high school career that saw him achieve success in both football and baseball. On the baseball diamond, Cornelius was part of a Milford High team that snapped a drought of nearly a decade and hosted a playoff game.

“Beating Beverly at home was a highlight,” he said. “We beat a really good team and we made it to the semifinals.”

Cornelius was also a cornerstone for Post 59 this summer, helping the Milford squad to a regular season Zone 4 title.

Cornelius said he is going to be a business major and likely focus on management. He is going to play fall baseball this year to get ready for the spring season. Cornelius said he is looking forward to the new challenges ahead.

“I am really excited about starting college and being on my own,” he said. “I will be accountable for everything I do with work and school and baseball and how I balance everything. It’s my chance to be a new person down there in college.”