On Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, Central Bucks East seniors Jason Abert, Anthony Niro and Sean Hill were recognized for committing to play collegiate baseball.
Jason Abert – East Stroudsburg University (Baseball)
Major: Exercise Science with a minor in Entrepreneurship
Final list of colleges: ESU, Dayton, Binghamton
Reasons for choosing East Stroudsburg: “I chose ESU for the great coaching staff. They play competitive baseball and will get me to the best level I can.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in baseball at the collegiate level? “I always wanted to take baseball to the highest level I can. Ever since I started, I just wanted to keep playing.”
Central Bucks East baseball coach Kyle Dennis: “Jason approaches every challenge with composure and confidence. He doesn’t get rattled; he doesn’t show panic – he just executes. The ability to stay calm under pressure and remain focused on the task is one of Jason’s most powerful skills.
In Major League Baseball, a pitcher named Corey Kluber earned the nickname ‘Klubot’ because of how calm and stoic he was under pressure. Kluber won two Cy Youngs with the Cleveland Guardians, and in the 2016 playoffs, he carried Cleveland to the World Series with a 1.85 ERA. No matter the moment, Kluber never flinched.
“As a sophomore, Jason very quickly took over the job of closer on a very talented senior-heavy team that made the trip to the state playoffs for the first time in school history. He was a perfect 8-for-8 in opportunities finishing tight games where we held a three-run lead or less. In 11 of his 15 appearances that season, he allowed zero runs. Doing all this without so much as cracking a smile has earned Jason Abert the nickname ‘Terminator.’
He doesn’t get rattled; he doesn’t show panic – he just executes. For his career, he has averaged just shy of a strikeout per inning pitched and only 23 earned runs in 54 innings pitched. His combination of mental toughness and physical talents makes him such an exciting member of our program, and we hope it leads him to great success at East Stroudsburg University next fall.
About Jason:
Favorite food: Lobster
Favorite TV show: It’s Always Sunny
Favorite artist: Billy Joel
Sean Hill – Felician College (Baseball)
Major: Business
Final list of colleges: Felician, Iona
Reasons for choosing Felician: “The coaching staff was really great, and it was competitive.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in baseball at the collegiate level? “I’d say I was 13 or 14 when I always had a goal of playing in college. Last summer I got a bunch of looks.”
Coach Kyle Dennis: “Sean plays the game at full speed, has a heart of gold and brings relentless positivity to everyone around him. At the end of our season, as he heads to Felician University, we celebrate not only the athlete, but the young man he’s become.
“Sean’s growth and resilience reminds me of a professional baseball player by the name of Rick Ankiel…Ankiel’s story is about resilience, growth and realizing your potential…Rick Ankiel was once one of baseball’s brightest young pitchers. In the 2000 playoffs, everything unraveled – he suddenly couldn’t throw strikes, and his career as a pitcher seemed finished. Most players would have walked away, but Ankiel didn’t. He transformed himself into an outfielder and clawed his way through the minors to realize his potential as a professional player.
“When Sean joined us as a freshman, he had raw talent and boundless energy, but he had to find a way to take his enthusiasm and channel it into positives. Over the last three years, Sean has transformed. He learned discipline, earned the respect of his teachers, coaches and teammates, and by the start of his senior year, his teammates chose him as captain – not just for his ability but for his character. The Sean Hill today is not the same Sean Hll that came to us as a freshman, and we as a program are grateful to have been a part of his journey. Sean, we wish you the best of luck at Felician next fall.”
About Sean:
Favorite food: Chicken Parmesan
Favorite movie: Good Will Hunting
Favorite artist: Bruce Springsteen
Anthony Niro – Catawba College (Baseball)
Major: Economics
Final list of colleges: Catawba, State schools in PA
Reasons for choosing Catawba: “It’s down south and the opportunity to play baseball down south.”
What was the progression that led you to competing baseball at the collegiate level?
When I was 14, I started thinking I wanted to play in college. The recruiting process started last summer, then it slowed down and picked up again.”
Coach Kyle Dennis: “Anthony Niro doesn’t talk about work ethic -he shows it. Every day, he brings that same blue-collar mentality to the field. He’s the guy who does the little things, who grinds when no one’s watching, and who makes everyone around him better. Anthony is the definition of team first. Whether it’s crashing into a wall to make a spectacular catch or sprinting out of the dugout to home plate to celebrate a teammate’s big hit, his actions speak louder than words.
“’If you could equate the amount of time and effort put in mentally and physically into succeeding on the baseball field and measured it by the dirt on your uniform, mine would have been black.’ This is a quote attributed to legendary Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt. Along with physical tools, his blue-collar mentality led Mike to hit 548 homeruns, 10 gold gloves and three MVPs, including a World Series MVP in 1980.
The blue-collar, lunch-pail mentality is something a lot of teams and programs like to talk about. I have seen it on more than a few t-shirts and social media posts across all levels of baseball. But few players truly live it.
“Anthony’s relentless work ethic paid off last season as he boosted his offensive production – especially his power numbers – even while making the tough transition to hitting in the middle of the order. With his physical tools and lunch-pail mentality, Anthony has everything it takes to make a tremendous impact at the next level as a corner outfielder.
“We’re proud of Anthony – not just for what he’s accomplished, but for the example he’s set for this program. That’s why we’re proud to celebrate Anthony’s future at Catawba College this coming fall.”
About Anthony:
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite movie: Taxi Driver
Favorite artist: Bruce Springsteen
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