For college baseball players, there is no mountain top higher than playing in Omaha. Only a small percentage of athletes play Division-I and a fraction of that gets to experience the College World Series.
Rocky Point native Dominick Carbone was able to etch his name on the short list of Long Island players to play in Omaha in 2025 while playing for Coastal Carolina University. The hard-throwing southpaw had a dream season for the Chanticleers, going 6-0 with 5 saves and 52 Ks on the year. He was named second team All-American. The Chanticleers enjoyed a 56-win season in which they finished national runner-ups to LSU in a thrilling best-of-three series.
Entering his junior season in 2026, he was named preseason first team All-American by D1 Baseball. Unfortunately, his season came to an abrupt end when he suffered an elbow injury and required Tommy John surgery. He wound up having a procedure known as “TJ3” or the “hybrid procedure”, which is an advanced elbow operation that has become more common in recent years and allows pitchers to come back earlier if the surgery and rehab is done properly.
Following the 2026 season, Carbone announced he will be transferring to the University of South Carolina to follow his head coach, Kevin Schnall. He will be looking to help lead them back to Omaha for the first time since 2012.
I had a chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say…
When did you begin having elbow pain? Was it from a specific outing or more of a wear and tear injury?
I first got elbow pain after Omaha. Honestly, I just started throwing one day and it started to be uncomfortable in my forearm. I got an MRI and found out last July that it was partially torn. So I got 2 PRP shots and wore a cast for about a month-and-a-half and rehabbed all fall and winter. In January, after my first bullpen I had my first throw and felt a painful pop in my elbow and my arm was tingling and knew I needed surgery.
You were fortunate to have the surgery from one of the best in the business, how did that come about?
I was fortunate to have TJ3 surgery from Dr. Christopher Ahmad because of my agent. I am blessed to have this surgery and be ready within a year so I can be ready for next season.
You got to pitch in the College World Series in 2025. How special was that and is there one moment you’ll never forget?
The College World Series was and is still the best experience of my life and was worth every single ounce of hard work. Between arrival and all the fans greeting you. One moment that stood out was in the first game of the finals, where after the national anthem, half the stadium is chanting for Coastal and the other half chanting LSU. In addition, fighter jets flying over the stadium was just super cool.
How is your progress from TJ3 coming along?
My progress from TJ has been a good journey due to my staff being elite and I thank them everyday for giving me this opportunity to get better here.
How excited are you to play for South Carolina?
USC has been an absolutely amazing experience and it’s ben a blessing to still be playing for Coach Schnall. They take care of us really well here and it’s a privilege for sure.
What are your goals moving forward?
My goals for this year is to be 100% healthy by the time the season starts and I am looking to be throwing to batters in January. A personal goal for me is to be consistent in throwing strikes and being able to throw back to back days. But a main goal is to get USC back to Omaha as it’s the best experience you can imagine.
Your graduating class of 2023 is impressive with players like Jason DeCaro, Josh Knoth and Justin LeGuernic already in pro bal. Growing up with those kids, and playing or competing against them did you know they had what it took to be special?
With those guys, I always noticed how detailed their daily routines were as they take baseball as their job and did everything from working out to throwing and stretching with a 100% focus.