Staff photo / R. Michael Semple Mahoning Valley Scrappers shortstop Patrick Roche steps on second base and throws to first during early-inning action against the Frederick Keys on Thursday at Eastwood Field in Niles.

It would be understandable if family and friends of Patrick Roche didn’t recognize him in his number 10 Mahoning Valley Scrappers jersey.

It’s been nearly a decade since Roche wore a uniform that didn’t read, “Boston College.”

Roche, a native of Milton, Mass., attended Boston College High School, where he was a four-year standout on the baseball diamond and an honor student in the classroom. For the past four years, he duplicated those feats at the collegiate level while attending Boston College.

“I grew up in Massachusetts and was all about Massachusetts and Boston my whole life,” Roche said. “Boston College High School is known for its academics, and that holds true for BC. So when they called and said they were interested, it was an easy choice.

“Playing in the ACC 20 minutes from home while attending a great academic school, it was a no-brainer.”

Things certainly worked out for Roche. He graduated in 2024 with a degree in general management and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in business management at BC’s Carroll School of Management.

Along the way, he enjoyed a productive career with the Eagles baseball team, compiling a career .290 batting average while being acknowledged as one of the league’s top defensive players.

Roche was also recognized for his dedication to the BC program. This past spring, he wore the No. 8 jersey, annually given to the player who demonstrates strong leadership and a commitment to BC baseball. The tradition is in dedication to a former player, Sonny Patakis.

“It was quite an honor, it was maybe the coolest thing to happen to me at Boston College,” Roche said. “Last year was very emotional for me, I got hurt my senior year and came back for a fifth year. Coming back was easier for me because I was one of the older guys on the team and wearing number eight actually took away some pressure in a weird way.

“Every day, during practice or in games, I would always ask myself, ‘What would Sonny do in this situation?’ It made things easier because I always followed my heart in trying to be the best teammate and role model.”

While Roche is listed as an infielder on the Scrappers’ roster, he noted that at BC, he occasionally played in left and right field. He also manned both second and third base. For Roche, being versatile on the baseball field has been a lifelong trait.

Roche noted that when he played T-ball, his coach handed out balls at the end of the season with a word or phrase written on each ball, recognizing each player’s best attribute.

“MVP, best pitcher, best hitter….each ball had a different word,” Roche said. “Mine simply said ‘versatile.’ That’s kind of crazy to throw that word to a 6-year-old. I had no clue what the word meant.

“But looking back, that’s been the story of my career. I’d play anywhere, any position, just to get on the field and play. I simply love playing this game. I’m looking forward to a fun time with the Scrappers, and I hope it leads to a future in this game.”