Joey Berini was the Big 8 Conference Player of the Year in 2018. His performance with Orange and his summer travel team, the Cubs, led to him signing with East Carolina University during a ceremony at Orange High Gymnasium on Thursday afternoon. Berini has been a starter at shortstop for Orange since his freshman season, when he helped the Panthers make an improbable run to the 3rd round of the 3A State Playoffs. Last year, led Orange in five offensive categories, including a .541 batting average, 35 runs scored, 33 hits, 26 RBIs, 12 doubles and four RBIs as Orange finished 14-6 and claimed an automatic spot in the state playoffs. Berini has a career batting average of .383 with 79 career hits and he ventures into his senior season with Orange. As a sophomore, Berini hit .369 with 24 hits and 16 RBIs.