Spring sports seasons are close to being in full swing, and the Guilford baseball team is geared up and ready to hit the diamond.

After having a relatively successful season last year, the Grizzlies are hoping to grow and find even more success this upcoming campaign on the bases. As part of the excitement of the upcoming spring slate, the Grizzlies have the opportunity to play a game at Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford, home of the Yard Goats. In order to make this happen, they will be hosting a fundraiser at Ashley’s Ice Cream in Guilford on Thursday, March 23, to raise money for the big game.

Grizzlies Head Coach Nick Merullo is thrilled for his athletes to be able to play baseball at such a beautiful stadium where numerous professionals have stepped foot.

“We have seen Dunkin’ Donuts offer some dates when the Yard Goats are on the road, to make the park available to high school or college programs. Over the last season or two, I had seen other high school programs that have done it,” said Merullo. “Through a conversation with the Cheshire coach, he was also interested in playing there. He reached out to me, and we were thrilled to be able to have that opportunity.”

The Grizzlies are scheduled to face the Cheshire Rams on April 14 at the ballpark and are in need of obtaining funds to be able to play. Ashley’s Ice Cream owner Joe Ametrano and his two sons Sam (senior) and Lucas (sophomore), both on the baseball team, came up with the idea collectively to utilize the business as a fundraising strategy.

“We were talking about different ways to raise money and they thought of the family business as a mechanism,” said Ametrano. “Whatever the total sales from the day are, 20% will be donated to the dugout club, and that money will be paying for this trip.”

The entire Grizzlies team will be at Ashley’s Ice Cream, with the captains, Carter Williams (shortstop), Jack Farrah (second baseman), and Andrew Sosho (pitcher/first baseman), working the counter scooping ice cream. Guilford is hoping to raise around $1,000 from the fundraiser to help make the game happen.

“It is one of those things where every kind of bit that we raise is appreciated and important,” said Merullo. “We are hoping to have everyone from the team at Ashley’s throughout the day to be there and help out.”

The idea of playing at such a well-known stadium across the country is a rewarding feeling for Merullo, who hopes his players will make the most of the experience and soak it all in.

“This is going to be the first time we are playing at a neutral site and stadium at this sort of magnitude. It is a cool opportunity for the boys to get the chance to play on a professional field,” said Merullo. “Not only that, but one that has been recognized and voted as one of the top minor league stadiums in the country. It is a great ballpark, and we are excited.”

Looking ahead, the Grizzlies will begin the season on Saturday, April 1, when they face the Wilton Warriors.

Last year, Guilford finished with a Southern Connecticut Conference (SCC) record of 4-4 and an overall record of 12-11. After qualifying for both conference and state tournament play, Merullo hopes the team can grow on those accomplishments and strive for greater goals this spring.

“Last year we took a good leap forward and we qualified for the SCC tournament and the state tournament. We won our first round of states and lost in the second round,” said Merullo. “Really the big thing is building upon the success of last season. We are hoping to again qualify for both of those tournaments and make a good run.”

Merullo also noted that he expects the team to not only build off of their success from last season, but to also be as competitive as possible, earn the respects of their opponents around the league, and then hopefully make a good run for the state tournament in June. Having a mix of experienced players in the fold gives Merullo hope and optimism heading into the campaign.

“We have a lot of experience on the team, guys that know what it is like to play at a high level and know how competitive the teams in our league can be,” said Merullo. “The big thing for us is team chemistry, having the team gel, players settling into their role, and ultimately doing what is best to help the team. We have a strong pitching staff and our two leading pitchers from last season coming back, and the third that was having a very successful season last year that will be returning from an injury.”

With seven to eight seniors anticipated to return from last year, Merullo expects them to use their knowledge of the game to lead the underclassmen and motivate them to work hard and succeed as a squad.

“The big thing is looking forward to and relying on some of the leadership of the experienced players coming back,” said Merullo. “We have a strong senior class and a lot of talented young players as well that are eager to make their impact on the program and on the team.”

Merullo has been coaching the Grizzlies for two seasons, marking his third this coming spring. He is assisted by John Fotie, Jeff Mainetti, Ralph Russo and Jeff Letourneau.