Dakota Barbet of the New York University baseball team will continue his baseball career overseas as a member of the Reggio Rays in the Serie A, Italy's professional baseball league. 

Barbet wrapped up his four-year tenure with the Violets this past Spring with a career-high batting average of .276. He was also a defensive cornerstone for NYU with a lifetime .950 fielding percentage as a four-year starter at shortstop, a program record for the position. His 22 errors in 125 games played were the fewest in program history. 

In 2024, the Yardley, PA native registered a .985 fielding percentage with just two errors made in 38 starts, which set the single-season program record for fielding percentage at shortstop. For his efforts, he was a Rawlings Gold Glove nominee for the season. 

"My experience with NYU baseball taught me how to play the game the right way and how to handle the sport with the respect, focus, and consistency it demands," said Barbet. "It showed me the importance of showing up every day as the same person, trusting the process I created, and embracing the natural highs and lows that come with the game."

The Rays, just over half way into the season, are coming off of a strong 2024 campaign in which the team finished 18-2 in the regular season and made the quarterfinals of the playoffs. The team is based in the Province of Reggio Emilia. 

"Most guys dream of signing a professional baseball contract," explained Head Coach Doug Kimbler. "Dakota came to NYU knowing this was a possibility. His hard work over the last four years has paid off. It just means our program is on the right track and we are developing guys."

Barbet joins C.J. Picerni '16 and Adrian Spitz '17 as program alumni to play professionally. 

"I wouldn't have traded my time at NYU with the group I played with for four years for anything in the world," added Barbet. "It was the honor of a lifetime to play with them and to be coached by coach Kimbler, coach Medina, coach Delgado, coach Cardona, and coach Farber. They mean so much to me, and I'm forever grateful for their guidance and belief in me."