In a historic moment for Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, senior pitcher Sam Perry signed a National Letter of Intent on March 12, 2025, making him the first Diman baseball player to commit to a Division 1 program. Perry will continue his baseball career at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a decision brought to life during a signing ceremony attended by family, friends, and school officials.
Perry's journey in baseball began at the tender age of five, when he would often practice in the backyard with his father, Brian. "I could tell the first time I threw a baseball that I was going to be something special," Perry recalled, as he recognized early on the unique drive he possessed, a determination his father observed from the start.
Head coach of the Minutemen, Matt Reynolds, is set to welcome Perry next season. UMass-Amherst's baseball team had a challenging 2024 season, finishing with a record of 24-29 and making its first appearance at the Atlantic-10 championships since 2012. Despite other offers from institutions like Merrimack College and St. Peter's, Perry felt an undeniable connection to UMass-Amherst, noting, "None of the other schools I visited had that feeling. This was the school I’m going to spend my college years." His commitment marks a significant milestone not just for him, but for Diman, which has seen several alumni reach the professional league but lacked a Division 1 representative in the sport until now.
Perry's athletic prowess is not limited to baseball; he has also excelled in football and basketball. This past fall, he played football as quarterback and receiver, amassing nearly 3,000 yards passing and rushing combined, while scoring 36 touchdowns, leading to over 6,000 passing yards and 82 total touchdowns across his career. Football head coach, Luke Bahry, praised Perry’s contributions, stating, "I don’t know if we’ll get another one like him at multiple positions. He was a great receiver for us and an unbelievable quarterback. He’s a special athlete in the history of the school." Coaching Perry through multiple seasons, Bahry noted the impact he has had on the team, not only through statistics but also through leadership and positive energy.
In baseball, Perry's achievements are equally impressive. As a freshman, he achieved a 3-1 record while boasting a .377 batting average. His sophomore year saw him improve to a .466 average with a 4-2 record. However, it was during his junior year that Perry truly emerged as a standout player, batting an astonishing .627 with 32 hits in 51 at-bats, featuring 4 triples, 23 RBIs, as well as a perfect 8-0 record on the mound. He even achieved three no-hitters with a total of 68 strikeouts and only 5 walks. Floriano Lima, head coach for the Diman baseball team, expressed his admiration, stating, "The guy is incredible. He’s powerful. He works at it in the offseason. What stands out to me is his desire to win. He hates losing."
Looking back on his time at Diman, Perry reflected fondly on the community, stating, "I am going to miss the community and Diman. I look up to a lot of people here. I get looked up to by a lot of people. I love everyone in the school. It’s a great feeling. I’m so happy I came to this school." He also expressed gratitude towards his coaches who have significantly influenced his development. Perry attributed much of his success to Coach Lima, saying, "Coach Lima is one of my biggest supporters. He has a different style of coaching, a little bit of old school, not something I was used to. He’s more than a coach to me."
As Perry prepares for his final season at Diman, both he and his coaches have their expectations set high. Lima stated, "If everything goes right, we should have a good year. As far as going to college, Sam is a smart kid. I’m proud of him." With aspirations of continuing to excel in both academics and athletics, Perry is poised to make a significant impact at UMass-Amherst and beyond.
