Player Spotlight: Seiji Umezawa – A Complete Student-Athlete and Skylander Standout
Over the past two seasons, Seiji Umezawa has established himself as one of the finest players to wear a Sussex County Community College baseball uniform. The sophomore infielder from Japan combined elite offensive production, exceptional defensive play, and outstanding leadership to become a driving force behind one of the program's most successful seasons, helping the Skylanders earn the No. 2 seed in the NJCAA Region XIX Tournament.
An international student from Japan and a Liberal Arts major, Umezawa embraced every opportunity during his two years at Sussex. His dedication in the classroom, commitment to his teammates, and consistent excellence on the field made him a model student-athlete and one of the most respected members of the program.
Two Years of Excellence
Throughout his career at Sussex, Umezawa developed into one of the premier players in Region XIX. His career statistics reflect both his consistency and ability to impact every aspect of the game, both offensively and defensively.
During the 2025-26 season, Umezawa enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign, producing one of the best offensive seasons in recent program history while continuing to anchor the Skylanders' infield with outstanding defense. His ability to reach base, create scoring opportunities, drive in runs, and make difficult defensive plays look routine made him indispensable throughout the season.
Across his two-year career, Umezawa compiled an impressive résumé that includes outstanding career totals in hits, runs scored, extra-base hits, RBIs, stolen bases, and on-base percentage while earning recognition as one of the top all-around players in the conference. His combination of speed, baseball IQ, plate discipline, and defensive reliability helped elevate Sussex into one of the top teams in Region XIX.
A Difference Maker on Both Sides of the Ball
While Umezawa's offensive numbers speak for themselves, his defensive ability set him apart from many of the region's top players. Possessing exceptional instincts, quick hands, and outstanding range, he consistently turned difficult plays into routine outs while providing leadership and stability throughout the infield.
Head Coach Ramadan Mehmedi believes Umezawa ranks among the very best players to come through the Sussex Baseball program.
"Seiji is one of the best players to come through our program since I have been coaching here. He is a complete all-round player where you can count on him to score you runs, but also incredibly consistent defensively. He has extremely quick hands and can make any play look routine, no matter how difficult it is. Seiji is a top player, student, and person and he will be successful at the next level as well in life."
Excellence Beyond Baseball
Off the field, Umezawa represented Sussex County Community College with the same professionalism and work ethic that defined his playing career. As an international student pursuing a Liberal Arts degree, he balanced academic success with athletic excellence while serving as an outstanding ambassador for the college and the baseball program.
His commitment to continuous improvement, humility, and team-first mindset earned the respect of teammates, coaches, faculty, and opponents alike.
As he moves on to the next level, Umezawa leaves behind a lasting legacy at Sussex. His outstanding two-year career played a major role in the continued success of the Skylanders, culminating in the program's No. 2 seed in the NJCAA Region XIX Tournament. More importantly, he leaves as one of the most complete student-athletes to represent Sussex County Community College.
For Sussex Baseball, Seiji Umezawa's legacy extends well beyond the statistics. He exemplified what it means to be a Skylander—excelling in the classroom, competing at the highest level on the field, and representing the college with integrity every step of the way.