The winters of Northeast Ohio might deter some from pursuing the sport of baseball in this part of the country, but for native Floridian Mike Carbo (Coral Springs, FL, J.P. Taravella) the change of seasons is part of the lure that brought him to the Buckeye state.

“I like the change,” said Carbo. “Christmas day is 90 degrees outside in Florida, we don't have seasons. I'm enjoying the weather changing…I don't mind the snow at all!”

Weather was just one of the factors that played into his decision to head up north.

“There was something about living life on my own,” said Carbo. “All my friends went to Florida schools, and I could have gone somewhere close to home too, but I just wanted to be on my own and meet new people.”

It would be quite a leap of faith for Carbo. Hailing from Coral Springs, which is about 15 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and 10 miles north and west of Fort Lauderdale, Carbo is far away from his family.

In other words, he placed a lot of trust in the education and the baseball program at John Carroll. So far, that trust has paid off quite well.

Carbo began his academic career as an Accounting major, but would eventually switch over to Finance.

“This John Carroll education is preparing me for my future,” said Carbo. “The teachers and advisors are awesome … you have close relationships with them that you couldn't have at a bigger school. Plus, I like the people here, the atmosphere…just about everything. I've made really good friends”.

As far as the baseball side of his life – a sport he has played since he was first able to walk – he would earn the starting job as a second baseman as a freshman. Carbo would go on to become a Second team All-OAC selection that year, as he was sixth in the Ohio Athletic Conference and second on JCU's roster with a .407 batting average.

It was a baseball injury, however, that altered his perspective on where the sport fit on his list of priorities.

In his junior year of high school, Carbo broke his shin and had a full leg cast from foot to thigh. While the injury ultimately made him stronger, he realized that his ticket to success in life would be punched by his academic choices.

“I came to John Carroll mostly because it's such a good school,” said Carbo. “Education was first…baseball is just an added luxury. We did a lot of research about different schools, John Carroll was just the best choice.”

Still, the distance between Florida and Ohio can still seem quite formidable. Luckily for Carbo, he has two things working in his favor. One, the Blue Streaks make an annual spring break pilgrimage to the Sunshine State. Two, he has parents willing to travel. 

“My dad is my best friend,” said Carbo. “He's been with me every step of the way. My parents come up a couple times a year to visit and watch me play”.

It also helps to have a baseball team that feels like family.

“Our team gets along really well … we really have good team chemistry,” said Carbo. “If we all work together and are on the same page, I don't think any team could beat us”.

Carbo has been part of a 20-win season in each of his first three seasons at John Carroll. In 2009, the Blue Streaks finally got over the hump and qualified for the OAC Tournament.

“The past two years, we just missed the OAC tournament by one game,” recalled Carbo. “We came into this year looking to replace a lot of key players, but we had some guys who stepped up and were ready to fill the spots”.

Carbo has done his part, but is quick to credit others for helping return John Carroll baseball to postseason play.

“Our biggest team leader is Adam Milanovich (Rimersburg, PA, Union),” said Carbo. “He's one of our seniors, and one of my best friends. He is the voice of our team. He calls team meetings, talks with all the players, keeps us focused.”

According to Carbo, credit should also go to the coaching staff.

“Coach (Marc) Thibeault is a good guy, he really cares about his players,” sadi Carbo. “Since my freshman year, he's changed his coaching style a little. He always tries new things, and he's become a really good communicator. Our assistant coaches are also great. I'm with coach (Jay) Murphy every day, and he really knows the inner workings of the game. All the coaches are good guys, they really know what they are doing”

It also helps that the team gets along, especially when it comes to the long months of preparation leading up to the actual season – preparation that includes 5:00 a.m. practices.

“It's hard at first, but you do what you have to do to get better, be prepared, and ultimately win,” said Carbo.

The change of seasons may be why Carbo elected to leave Florida, but the opportunity at postseason baseball is what keeps him happy in Ohio.