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06/06/2023 08:20 AMGuilford baseball Head Coach Nick Merullo is looking to make Guilford a championship baseball team. After taking over as the team’s head coach two seasons ago, the team has had their best year in his three-year tenure this spring, capping off a 10-7 victory over Fairfield Prep to win the SCC Tournament title.
After a regular season that found the squad sitting at a dominant 17-3 record, the second best in program history, they came into the conference tournament as the No. 1 seed. After dispatching 8th-seeded Sheehan in the quarterfinals on May 22 (5-3) and No. 4 Xavier in the semifinals on May 23 (6-2) the Grizzlies secured their first SCC crown since 2007 on May 25 at Piurek Field in West Haven after taking down the 3rd-seeded Fairfield Prep by a score of 10-7. The Jesuits were stripped of three-peating as SCC champs, as they’ve hoisted the last two trophies.
Merullo expressed how joyful he was of his team’s accomplishment after a tumultuous first season as head coach two years ago.
“It was pure joy watching the team celebrate after the final out,” said Merullo. “The entire team and coaching staff was hugging and embracing each other. We had a goal of playing for a championship and we accomplished it. The kids did a tremendous job of picking each other up each time we faced adversity, as we have done all year long, and just staying focused on the next pitch at all times. I am so proud of what this group has accomplished. My first season, we went 2-16 and were at the bottom of the league standings. To win the league championship with a 20-3 record two years later feels great. It validates the time and effort that our coaches and players have put into getting better every day.”
The Grizzlies were led by sophomore Lucas Deshefy, who went 3-3 with two doubles, two RBIs and a walk in the victory. The youngster was also named the SCC Baseball Player of the Year and the SCC Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. He described the team’s victory as a surreal moment in his young high school career.
“I can’t even describe the feeling I had after that last out in the SCC finals. This meant everything to me doing it with this group of guys,” said Deshefy. “We’ve worked so hard for this moment and trusting our coach that has done an incredible job all season and making the right decisions in big moments consistently.”
The Grizzlies got off to a 6-0 lead after the first three innings and then went up 10-3 after five. The Jesuits of Fairfield Prep scored four runs in the final two innings before junior pitcher Bryce Meder relieved the team to hold it to a 10-7 game.
In the regular season slate, Guilford lost to Hand, West Haven, and Notre-Dame West Haven, all taking place within the first 10 games to start off with a 6-3 record. After the loss to West Haven, Merullo challenged his team to be a better squad for the rest of the campaign, to which they have executed on.
“After the West Haven loss, we had a great team meeting where I asked the team “what type of team do you want to be?” Every player responded, almost in unison, that they wanted to play for a championship,” said Merullo. “In exchange, I asked that they be willing to make adjustments and take the feedback and coaching from our entire staff to help them continue to improve each day and make that happen. They have responded well to every bit of coaching all year long, and I couldn’t be more proud of that.”
Guilford capped off the regular season winning their last 11 games. They’ve outscored their opponents this season 168-85 and have averaged 7.3 runs per game while allowing just 3.6 runs against.
Offensively, the Grizzlies were led by Deshefy, whose hitting numbers on the season include .507/.616/.791, 34 H, 11 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 25 R.
In the pitching department, the team has had solid play from Deshefy (4-0, 5 saves, 29 Ks, 0.93 ERA) and Meder (4-2 record, 3 saves, 55 Ks vs. 9 BB, 2.05 ERA). Offensively, Meder’s stats were 28 H, 3 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 21 RBI, 5 SB.
Senior Sam Ametrano recorded a 4-0 record, while senior captain Andrew Shosho recorded a 7-0 record. Both pitchers had 35+ K’s and gave up less than a 3.00 era. Ametrano was also one of the best offensive players, recording 22 H, 3 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 28 R, and 6 SB.
The Grizzlies were named the high school Team of the Year and Merullo was named Coach of the Year by the Southern CT Diamond Club.
Guilford has now shifted its focus to the Class L State Tournament. They entered the first-round on a 14-game win streak, including their three SCC Tournament victories, and are the No. 3 seed. The Grizzlies defeated the 8-12 and 30th-seeded New London Whalers at home in the first round on May 30 by a score of 11-4 before grabbing a 6-5 win over 19th ranked Bethel the next day. In the quarterfinal round on June 3, Guilford faced No. 22 Wethersfield and recorded a 2-0 shutout win.
“When you get to the state tournament, every opponent is a quality team,” said Merullo. “Every team is fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, so we know we are going to get their best shot. Our message before every game is that the real opponent is ourselves and ensuring we play to our standard: being aggressive, smart and tough, backing up bases, knowing where to go with the ball defensively, running hard on the basepaths, pitching and hitting aggressively. Entering the state tournament is no different, we are looking to continue to play the right way and get better every day.”
The 2023 Guilford baseball team roster is comprised of junior Joe Tafro, Meder, sophomore Adam Copeland, sophomore Lucas Ametrano, junior Colin Pompano, sophomore Matt DiNardo, freshman Finn Matlosz, junior Mike Buccaro, freshman Alex Tafro, senior captain Carter Williams, senior captain Jack Farrah, Deshefy, senior Alex Vincent, junior Brandon Rosa, sophomore Victor Morris, senior Cole Morgan-Berry, Sam Ametrano, and Shosho.