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07/06/2017 12:00 AMGio Tirollo had a standout senior season for the North Branford baseball team this spring. In fact, Gio played so well that he not only earned All-Shoreline Conference recognition, he was also named the T-Birds’ Most Valuable Player. As the team’s leadoff hitter, Gio batted .403 to go with 21 walks, 18 runs scored, and eight stolen bases on the year.
However, even with these exceptional numbers, Gio was a team guy first and foremost, and that’s why he also received the No ‘I’ in Team Award from the Southern Connecticut Diamond Club.
“Winning MVP just meant that I did my job to help the team win. I went out there trying to win,” says Gio. “I don’t like personal stats. I’m all about the team. The award showed me I did the best I could to help the team win. I give lots of credit to my coaches and teammates. Without them, the MVP wouldn’t even be possible.”
By crossing home plate 18 times, Gio accounted for 20 percent of North Branford’s runs scored this season. Gio used all ends of the field to get on base and give the meat of the T-Birds’ lineup a shot to knock him home.
“I always wanted to get on base and score in the first inning. Every time we got on them early, it was our best chance to win, so it was always my goal. I wanted to give the heart of the order a chance to hit me in,” Gio says. “I always went up knowing what I wanted to do every at-bat. I had the same approach: an inside pitch, I’d hit to left and, an outside pitch, I’d hit to right. I always kept my head straight, and I’d stay confident.”
Gio loved being the first batter to step up to the plate. While not every player likes to be the first one to see what the opposing pitcher has to offer, Gio thrived being the guy in the leadoff position.
“I’ve hit leadoff for most of my life. I love it. You get the most at-bats, so it’s my favorite spot in the lineup,” he says. “It’s an extra challenge, because you’re the first to see the pitcher. At the same time, he doesn’t know much about me, so if he doesn’t know I’m a good low-ball hitter, he’d leave one for me, and we have a good start to the game.”
Gio was a shortstop for the T-Birds and made just one error for the entire season. Now, he’s playing third base for the Branford Senior Legion baseball team this summer. North Branford baseball Head Coach Billy Mitchell describes Gio as an excellent all-around ballplayer.
“He’s your typical leadoff hitter. He has a good eye and scored about 20 percent of our runs. He leads the team and always gives 100 percent,” says Mitchell. “He’s solid and a guy you can count on. He’s been a pleasure to coach. Even his sophomore year, he volunteered to do some catching for us, because we were short on the JV level. That’s just the kind of kid he is. He’ll do anything you ask of him, and he really came into his own these last two years.”
Gio also enjoys being in the middle of all the action as an infielder. He just has the type of personality where he wants to be involved in the game as much as possible.
“I’m very aggressive and want the ball. I want the difficult plays,” Gio says. “I want to be closer to the action. Because of my lack of size, I feel like I’ve always needed an edge to my game.”
That attitude helped Gio earn a leadership role as one of the Thunderbirds’ captains for his senior season.
“I was excited because of the recognition, because coach chose me out of all our good players. We’ve had some great captains in the past, so to have my name up with them was great. I wanted to live up to the expectations they set,” says Gio. “It was difficult at first, but I learned a lot from it. It’s all about channeling your emotions, because everyone is looking up to you. I learned how to stay calm and set a good example for the underclassmen.”
Gio is planning to continue his baseball career at Springfield College. After seeing so much improvement between his junior and senior seasons at North Branford, Gio hopes to continue his upward trajectory and make an impact at the next level.
“I worked every day in the offseason, and it’s made me more confident. I’m getting better every year I play and I feel I’m going to be even better next year,” Gio says. “I definitely want to play in college. I would like to play another four years to see what I can do. I feel like I’m getting better and don’t want to stop.”