Nipmuc grad pitched team’s two biggest games

Before pitching in game one of the state tournament, Josh Giancola did his best to stick to his usual routine. He went through his pregame stretches and throwing, just like any other game. He also threw on some music to get himself amped before taking the mound.

But the Nipmuc graduate knew his duel with undefeated Franklin was not like any other game.

“It felt amazing to get the ball, and it was super exciting and definitely a little bit of pressure, especially when the whole town of Milford is there watching you,” Giancola said. “But I just kept my composure and tried to treat it like any other game, even with all the pressure and fans there.”

Giancola ended up facing Franklin twice during the tournament. He worked into the fifth inning of the state tournament opener. He allowed just three hits and one earned run, but Post 75 pushed across a late run to emerge with a 2-1 victory.

It seemed as though pitch count rules and the short time frame for the tournament would prevent Giancola from making another start; but, thanks to a rain out, he was able to pitch in the state title game, facing Franklin for the second time in five days. Giancola gave up three hits and two runs, just one earned, over six innings. He struck out seven and walked one. Once again, however, Franklin scored a late run to take home the title. 

Despite the loss, Giancola said he was grateful for the experience ahead of the start of his college baseball career at Johnson & Wales University.

“Seeing better competition definitely made me grow this year, especially seeing Franklin two times,” he said. “That really gave me a challenge, and helped me progress and get ready for college.”

Giancola pitched 30 innings for Milford this summer, and his ERA was a mere 1.17. Post 59 skipper Steve DiVitto called Giancola “an outstanding kid who wants to help his team in any way he can.”

“He’s a bulldog, a pleasure to coach and a gamer,” DiVitto said. “He’s the true meaning of a warrior.”

DiVitto said he is looking forward to welcoming Giancola back next summer after a year of college baseball.

Coming into the year, Giancola said his goals were to graduate high school, progress as a pitcher, and win a state legion title.

“I accomplished two out of three,” he acknowledged. “But I feel like, even though we didn’t win the championship, it was still a great year, and there are a lot of good things to take away from the season.”