"It's a blast," said Hendricken senior pitcher Chris Costantino shortly before he took the mound for Thursday night's Division I state title baseball game against North Kingstown and a few hours after he had been drafted by the Red Sox in the 49th round of the Major League amateur draft.

"It feels good and it's a relief I was drafted," Costantino continued. "I'm grateful to the team that selected me. Hometown team, hometown kid. It's kind of sweet that I'm playing on one of their affiliate's field right now."

An outstanding hitter as well as a big, strong right-handed pitcher, he earned first-team All-State honors in 2008 when his undefeated pitching record and .444 batting average led Hendricken to the state title.

This season he was undefeated on the mound once again with a 9-0 record and also was the Hawks leading hitter with a .542 average. Going into Thursday night's game he had 39 hits in 72 official plate appearances, including 19 for extra bases.

"The draft is a personal thing, it's good, but I'm here to win a state title. My team comes first we have played hard all year," said Costantino, who has committed to attend Walters State Community College in Tennessee in the fall.

But those plans could change.

"I have a meeting with the area scout in the next week sometime," Costantino said. "I think I'm staying up here (New Engalnd) and they are doing some type of summer-follow type of deal. Then we will talk about how I did."

"I'm open. I mean the 49th round is kind of late, but . . . [they] can go above slot money and stuff."