2021 Spring Academic All-Big Ten
2020 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
2020 Spring Academic All-Big Ten
2018 MLB Draft Pick (22nd Round, Cincinnati Reds)
Career Highs
H: 3, two times
HR: 1, two times
RBI: 2, six times
R: 3, at North Florida (2/22/20)
BB: 2, Michigan State (5/22/21)
SB: -
2021 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in 35 games with 29 starts at catcher ... named Academic All-Big Ten (5/27) for the second time ... totaled 19 hits, 10 runs and 13 walks ... posted a .983 fielding percentage in 235 chances with three runners caught stealing, 12 assists and only five passed balls ... walked twice with an RBI and run scored in win over Michigan State (5/22) ... threw out two runners against the Spartans (5/21) ... recorded a single, walk and run scored in the first win at No. 19 Nebraska (4/30) ... doubled, singled, walked and scored a run in rubber-game win at No. 17 Michigan (4/25) ... walked and scored a run versus Iowa (4/16) ... collected two hits against Ohio State (3/22) ... reached on a single, a walk and a hit by pitch with a run scored and a sacrifice bunt in the home opener versus the Buckeyes (3/20) ... delivered a two-out, two-run single in win at Maryland (3/13) ... hit a two-out RBI double at Minnesota (3/7) ... collected two singles, a walk and two runs in the win over Minnesota (3/6).
2020 (Sophomore): Played in 12 games with 11 starts at catcher ... named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (7/1) and to the Academic All-Big Ten list (6/10) ... totaled 10 hits, eight runs and seven RBIs ... slugged a pair of homers ... threw out 6-of-10 runners attempting to steal defensively ... hit an RBI double and scored versus Saint Peter's (3/4) ... went 5-for-8 with four runs scored, two walks and a homer in two games played at North Florida (2/21-22) ... hit first career homer in 3-for-4 performance at No. 3 Miami (2/16) ... started on Opening Day (2/14) behind the plate.
2019 (Freshman): Played in 37 games with 28 starts (16 at catcher, 12 as designated hitter) ... totaled 24 hits and 13 RBIs on the season ... compiled a 10-game on-base streak ... caught 6-of-15 (40 percent) of runners attempting to steal ... laced a double at No. 21 Indiana (5/16) ... singled against Northwestern (5/11) ... ripped a two-run double off the wall versus Villanova (5/7) ... lined an RBI single to right field at Columbia (4/23) ... went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, a run and caught a runner stealing to help clinch series versus Michigan State (4/13) ... walked and singled in the Big Ten opener versus Ohio State (3/29) ... picked up two singles with an RBI against Indiana State (3/24) ... hit an RBI single versus Harvard (3/20) ... doubled, singled, walked and knocked in two runs at Florida Gulf Coast (3/16) ... had two doubles in the series at USC Upstate (3/9-10) ... picked up an RBI single versus Chicago State (2/24) ... went 2-for-4 with an RBI in first start against the Hurricanes (2/17) ... ripped a single on first pitch seen in collegiate debut as a pinch hitter at Miami (2/15).
Prior to Rutgers: Drafted in the 22nd round (pick 649) of the MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds ... played four seasons of varsity baseball at Millburn High School … part of two Group IV state championship teams … named first team all-state, Essex County Player of the Year and Millburn High School Athlete of the Year in as a senior ... hit .366 (32-for-85) as the catcher in 2018 with four home runs and 26 RBIs … earned honorable mention All-America by Rawlings-Perfect Game and helped lead Millburn to the North 2, Group 4 final … hit .361 with 29 RBIs as a junior to earn first team all-state, all-conference, All-Group IV and All-Essex County … named all-conference as a sophomore … played travel baseball with the NJ .9ers and competed at the Area Code Games in California in 2016 and 2017 … also took part in the East Coast Pro in Florida in 2017 … also a three-year starter at quarterback for Millburn and left as the school's all-time passing yards leader … named all-conference as a junior … a captain of both the baseball and football teams … competed as a wrestler freshman year and picked up all-conference honors.
Personal: Son of Mark and Ellen Serruto … father was the captain of the wrestling team and played baseball at Virginia … has four siblings, Mark, Dana, John and James … John currently plays baseball for Muhlenberg … uncle, Roger Serruto, wrestled at Maryland ... aunt, Rose Twombly, played field hockey at Purdue ... aunt, Dorris Serruto, played field hockey at Miami (Ohio) ... cousin, Drew Serruto, played football at Oklahoma.
Know Your Knights
Nickname: 7
One word to describe Coach Owens: Inspiring
Favorite Rutgers athlete, past or present: Todd Frazier
Best player ever competed against: Royce Lewis
Major: Communication
I chose my major because: It’s currently a very useful major and there is a wide variety of jobs that apply to the knowledge learned with a communications degree.
Favorite place to hang out on campus: The Yard
The person I most admire is: My father because he’s created a path of hard work and success and has influenced me to follow it and achieve my goals and aspirations. He is my inspiration.
If I wasn’t playing baseball, I’d be: Trying to play quarterback on the football team, reliving my high school glory days.
Favorite professional athlete: Buster Posey
Favorite professional sports teams: Yankees and Jets
One word to describe myself on the field: Relentless
One word to describe myself off the field: Fearless
Few people know: Me and my brother Marky, who has autism, are best friends and do almost everything together when we’re at home. We always have each other’s backs and love going to car washes together.
Person who had greatest influence on my athletics career: My father
I started playing my sport because: I wanted to be just like my father and play catcher. As a young kid, I was the only one who loved putting on the catchers gear and blocking balls.
I chose Rutgers because: It gave me the opportunity obtain a top-tier education and compete in a Power Five conference, all while being able to say I represent my home state with my family and friends in the stands at home games.
Favorite cereal: Cap’n Crunch
The movie I have watched the most in my lifetime is: Grown Ups 2
The best actor to play me in a movie is: Taylor Lautner.
Favorite musician/group: Luke Combs
The first song I knew all the words to is: "The Real Slim Shady" - Eminem
If I could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, I would win a gold medal at: Mini golf.
Famous people I have met include: Pete Rose, Phil Mickelson, Arnold Palmer, Al Leiter
Favorite all-time gift received: Jets vs. Giants sideline passes on Christmas
Pets I had growing up were: Parrot named Johnny Rocket and Cat named Misty.
My favorite Halloween costume growing up: Cowboy
The place in the world I would most like to visit is: Italy
My favorite teacher: Mr. Dzama (11th grade history)
The quote that most resonates with me is: “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” - Babe Ruth
If my life was a book, the title would be: Silencing the Doubters: based on a true story
If I could choose any color when buying a new car: Matte black
One thing on my bucket list is: Winning the Big Ten.
Phone app you cannot live without: Twitter
What would you like to say to the R Fund donors who have provided for your scholarship and/or facility resources? Thank you for allowing me to live my dream. You’ve given me the opportunity to achieve success and bring a championship home to Jersey.
How has Rutgers and donor support changed your life? It has given me perspective about knowing your roots and always having pride in regards to who and what has raised me. Rutgers University embodies how I am as a person and what I represent.
