Rollins College baseball star Peter Nicoletto reflects on time as a Tar

Harper-Shepherd Field. The gold and blue uniform. His teammates. 

Rollins College Tars outfielder Peter Nicoletto said he’ll never forget his four years on the baseball team. Despite it all coming to an end in the weeks ahead, Nicoletto said his time at Rollins has been the best four years of his life. 

“I feel like I’ll always be a Tar,” Nicoletto said. “It’s turned into a home for me.” 

The Rollins senior developed his game over his four-year tenure, and he’s playing better than ever before. He currently leads the team in runs, hits, home runs, runs batted in and stolen bases. 

He’s also improved on his own success from his previous years, racking up a batting average of around .340 and breaking the .300 mark for the first time as a Tar. 

“Peter’s a special kid,” coach Jon Sjogren said. “He puts his teammates first and then puts his work second and still does all of the things that he needs to do to become a better player. He works hard in the weight room, he works hard pregame, and he’s the first one to the batting cages. He’s just a special player.” 

Scouts are starting to notice that too, as Nicoletto promises to have a bright future ahead of him on the baseball diamond. At least eight Major League Baseball teams have reached out to him as his career at Rollins is coming to an end.  

The 21-year-old from Ft. Lauderdale knows more than 1,000 players get drafted every year, but he also knows how special of an opportunity it would be if his name is called. 

“It really is comforting that all the work that I’ve put in throughout my entire life has paid off,” Nicoletto said. “My dad’s coached me his entire life, so it’s great for him too. My mom drove me to all those sporting events. I have them to thank mostly out of anybody.” 

But for now, the focus is on Tars baseball, and giving the team a chance to play in regionals — an elusive goal.  

Nicoletto said this year’s squad looks like the best Rollins team he’s played with yet, specifically the Tars’ pitching rotation. He hopes all the pieces will come together for a huge run into the postseason. 

“I really want to give a lot of respect to our pitchers, because they’ve worked hard — it’s nonstop work,” Nicoletto said. “We have a chance to make the regionals. … If we make it, I know that we’ll be able to make a run toward the World Series.” 

Racking up innings and hours of practice not only has helped Nicoletto’s stats but also his growth off the field, including his time-management skills. And as he remembers his time at Rollins, the affect his example has had on his teammates will carry more weight than the number of times he hit the ball out of the park.  

“It’s more about my impact on other guys, which is what I think I bring to the table,” he said. 

It’ll be a whirlwind week for Nicoletto and the other Tar to end the season this year. Their last game of the season against the University of Tampa May 12 — a crucial game in the Tars’ bid for regionals — will be followed by graduation two days later.  

Nicoletto has already turned in his thesis. His testing is finished. His time in a Tars uniform is almost over, but for now he’ll enjoy every minute he’s still wearing it.  

“I don’t want to stop playing college baseball,” Nicoletto said. “I live with three other baseball guys — my best friends. 

“Maybe their careers are going to be over; maybe my career is going to be over too,” he said. “You’ve just got to make sure you relish every last moment on this field.”