Dunkirk’s Anthony Cosme went 3-3 with a 4.20 earned run average last spring. P-J file photo

Dunkirk senior Anthony Cosme was a key piece for the Marauders claiming their first Section VI baseball title since 2011 this past spring and he will have one more season to shine this year.

However, Cosme recently made it official that his baseball career will continue past this season. Last week, Cosme was surrounded by friends, family and coaches as he signed his commitment to play at the NCAA Division I level with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in the Northeast Conference.

“He has certainly put in the time and effort to put himself in that position,” former Dunkirk head coach Frank Jagoda said Tuesday evening about Cosme signing to play Division I baseball.

Cosme was Dunkirk’s No. 2 pitcher behind senior Greg Orcutt, posting a 4.20 earned run average with a 3-3 record over seven starts, while striking out 56 batters in 33.1 innings of work. At the plate, he recorded a .370 average, drove in 22 runs and pounded out four doubles.

“They’re getting a solid left-handed pitcher who has performed pretty well in our league, which is one of the tougher ones in the section,” Jagoda said. “Coming from the left side certainly has its benefits, over time his velocity has gone up each year. I’m looking forward to seeing him excel this year for our new coach Alberto Benejan and hopefully having the same success this year. I hope he takes a leadership role this year and I’m hoping he does the same down at Maryland Eastern Shore.”

The Hawks will be eager to get new talent like Cosme in the coming years after finishing last season with a 7-41 record and 6-24 in the Northeast Conference.

“He certainly saw some success last year,” Jagoda said about Cosme’s opportunity. “But as a freshman and getting increased time and mound time as a sophomore, he knows how programs are built for success. Hopefully he brings that attitude with him to Eastern Shore. They’re bringing in a lot of arms and where better to build than to bring in some pitching.”

However, it will be no easy feat jumping from high school to the NCAA, especially at the Division I level. Cosme will have to continue showing the growth he has made in his career and for those who have been around him there is no doubt that will happen.

“If you follow anything through social media it’s been documented the extra hours he puts in,” Jagoda said about Cosme’s work ethic. “Not only during the offseason, but during the season as well. Nothing has stopped him from reaching his goal and his goal has been to play Division I baseball.”

Before he takes to the field in college, the Marauders will get one more season of Cosme this spring with a title defense at stake under Benejan, the new head coach.