Big junior class to lead way against tough schedule

By Chris Villani

It’s a new season, but the Nipmuc baseball team is once again looking to test itself against some of the best teams in the state. With an 11-member junior class and the benefit of a power ranking process that rewards the bold, the Warriors will square off against the likes of Framingham, Canton, Boston English, Boston Latin, Hudson, and Northbridge.

“We want to see what we can do against the best of the best,” said Head Coach Anthony Leonelli. 

Nipmuc will also play its Dual Valley Conference schedule for the final time.

“This is the last year of the DVC;  there is going to be a realignment, so we want to win the last one,” Leonelli said. “It’s been 50 years for us in this conference, we want to make sure we get the last one on the way out.”

Leonelli figures Hopedale will be his team’s top competition for the DVC crown. 

The Blue Raiders got the better of Nipmuc last spring, leaving Leonelli and company looking for a measure of payback this year.

Among the players who figure to be a major factor is Josh Giancola, a pitcher and middle infielder who is coming off a strong summer with the Milford Legion team.

Nipmuc will also welcome back Dylan Muccini to full strength after he missed most of last season with an injury.

“He is another pitcher who we are counting on a lot,” Leonelli said.

Sean Burchard is a returning all-conference selection who will also be a key cog for Nipmuc. While that troika is at the head of the class, Leonelli said one of the team’s strengths this spring will be its depth.

“We have a really strong four through 12 in our rotation,” he said. “A lot of guys who have not been asked to carry the burden offensively are going to be shifted into that role. If we can get guys on base, and get hits while they are there, we will be alright.”

Nipmuc returns five juniors who were in the starting lineup during their sophomore seasons, adding a layer of experience to a team that finished 10-11 a season ago amid a very difficult schedule. But playing the iron of the area is the best way to get ready for the state tournament, Leonelli stressed.

“Division III is a monster,” he said of the potential playoff field. “We want to be playing our best ball at the end of the year and see what we can do in the tournament.”