Lewis’s Liederman chooses Minnesota

When it came time to pick a school, Ethan Liederman chose to be proactive.
Instead of sitting around and waiting for interest to come, the Francis Lewis senior researched attractive destinations, both academically and athletically. The University of Minnesota grabbed his attention in both forums, so he dialed them up.
The Big 10 program had not seen him play, but when he took part in one of their summer showcases, the lanky 6-foot-3 pitcher/outfielder aroused their interest and he was similarly smitten by his visit.
He recently signed a letter of intent to attend Minnesota, who play their home games at the Metrodome, home of the Minnesota Twins, turning down offers from High Point, UNC Charlotte and UNC Greensboro.
“I’m excited,” said Liederman, who has led the Patriots to a 9-2 mark in Queens A East - one game behind first-place Bayside - with a .379 batting average, 13 stolen bases and nine runs scored and has picked up two wins and two saves on the mound. “It’s a great environment. I know as a program they are big on developing players, something I am very into. I know as a player I’m not at the level I want to be at yet.”
“He needs to go up there and work hard,” Francis Lewis coach Ian Millman said. “He’s stepping into a quality program with a lot of quality athletes. I think he’ll be able to adjust his game.”
Minnesota likes Liederman’s natural skills - his strong right arm, impressive bat speed and natural athleticism - not to mention his sparkling academic standing (he has a 94 average). The Golden Gophers recruited him as an outfielder, but has not closed the door on pitching completely, according to Millman, who said Liederman, armed with a mid-to-high 80’s fastball, could get back on the mound at some point. For now, becoming just the second northeast player in the Big 10 is good enough.
“I guess it means I have to represent the northeast pretty well,” the Queens Village native joked.