CORNISH, Me. - Living in rural Maine does not make for the perfect avenue to college baseball.

“It's definitely tough,” explained Caleb Vacchiano, who lives in southwest Maine, less than an hour from the Atlantic Ocean and 30 minutes from the New Hampshire border. “It’s big tournaments down south where coaches will be. It’s tough hopping on airplanes, so I stayed in the northeast. You get what you deserve with hard work. You show up every day, give 100 percent and work on the craft you love.”

It could not have worked out any better for the junior at Sacopee Valley High School, who will be staying in state for college at the University of Maine.

“I live in Maine and it’s the only D-I in Maine,” Vacchiano noted. “They’ve always had a history of looking at guys from Maine.”

Vacchiano hit a double the first time seen by coaches at Maine, which were at a tournament in Massachusetts looking at a pitcher.

“A couple weeks later I went to a prospect camp there and hit a ground-rule double and a single,” Vacchiano reflected. “I called the coach later that day on the ride home wondering what he thought about me and he offered. I accepted the next day.”

It was a joyful feeling to have the aspiration of being a college baseball player become a reality.

“It’s been a dream of mine to play D-I ball since I was little,” Vacchiano related. “It will be cool to stay in state and represent where I’m from. I’m still local and get to play big time.”

While it all worked out in the end, the early outlook of playing at the next level was not a strong one.

“I was 10 or 11, maybe 12, when I started thinking about Division I college baseball,” Vacchiano said. “At the time I wasn’t that good. I was good, but little, but then things evened out.”

It was far from easy, however.

“I live in a real rural area,” Vacchiano explained. “There are no cages within 50 minutes, so every day in the basement I hit off a tee. I look at videos trying to improve my swing, make my mechanics better while also working to get stronger. It’s really about tee work and getting to the gym.”

That work ethic is what stood out about Vacchiano to Maine.

“I’ll be a guy who comes in and will be a hard worker,” Vacchiano noted. “They want good in-state guys that come in and ball out for them. They like my ability to hit for power and not strike out.”

The 5-11 190-pounder, who plays shortstop in high school and travel ball but is seen by Maine as a likely third baseman, had some interest from Rhode Island but found what he wanted at the American East Conference university in Orono, 21/2 hours from home.

“I like the coaching staff,” Vacchiano pointed out. “They made it seem like they genuinely wanted me. They truly wanted to get to know me. It’s also a good school. It’s where my dad went and my sister goes now. My dad was recruited to play there but didn’t, so it’s cool to kind of finish that out.”

His father, Timothy, has been a major influence in his life.

“He’s been my coach since I was little, from T-Ball to travel ball 11U,” Vacchiano said. “He also coaches my high school team (as an assistant). He never forces things, it’s always optional, and he’s very knowledgeable.”

Admittedly, recruitment had some difficulties.

“The process felt pretty slow moving,” Vacchiano related. “I was playing well and not getting the exposure I expected. I thought it would work out better. But when it finally happened, it happened quickly. When I got my first offer I wasn’t sure more would come. I got a school that was realistic, that I really like and it’s affordable.”

A commitment brought a lot of relief according to the 16-year-old.

“Playing showcase ball with scouts in the background is a lot of pressure with no room for error,” Vacchiano explained. “Once I committed I could relax and not worry about every little thing.”

There is plenty to look forward to now for Vacchiano when it comes to going to school at the D-I university in his home state.

“Every day I’m one day closer to college,” Vacchiano said. “The biggest thing is I’m not only going to get a good education, but every day I can work at baseball to get better. I’m looking forward to improving and meeting guys from all over the country.”

Unsure of a major at this time, Vacchiano - who has a 95 percent grade point average in school - is confident about what he can provide the program at Maine.

“Aside from baseball, I’ll be a good teammate, someone who lifts guys up,” Vacchiano said. “I’m someone who will hit for average with power and be consistent. I’m always working to be better and help the team win. That’s the most important part.”