This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
05/13/2021 12:00 AMJake Ciocca knows what it takes to be a leader. As a senior at Guilford High School, Jake led the Grizzlies’ boys’ basketball team as a senior captain in the winter and is currently serving as a captain for the baseball team this spring.
Jake takes great pride in wearing the captain’s hat and is always looking to set the right example for Guilford’s younger athletes to follow.
“Being a captain means a lot to me, because I like to be someone that the younger guys can look up to. Whether it’s on or off the field, I try to lead by example and provide all I can for my team,” Jake says. “In both baseball and basketball, I’ve played with younger guys that have a lot of talent and will play vital roles in the upcoming years, which makes it exciting to share what I’ve learned.”
Jake suits up as a shortstop for the Guilford baseball squad. Some of Jake’s early experiences as a baseball player have pushed him to maximize his potential on the diamond.
“My favorite moment as a player was playing in the state semifinals at Dunkin’ Donuts Park my freshman year. The atmosphere is something that I will remember forever,” says Jake. “I’ve been playing baseball since I was three years old, and I spent most of my childhood at my brother’s games. That really got me into the sport.”
So far this spring, Jake is sporting a team-best batting average of .400 as the Grizzlies’ leadoff hitter. In his last four games, he’s hitting .500 with one home run, three runs scored, and five RBI. Guilford recently earned its second win of the year with a 6-1 victory over Cheshire on May 7.
“During the offseason, I spent most of my time in the gym trying to get stronger,” says Jake. “I also took ground balls and swings in the cage with my cousin Nick.”
While it was difficult to see the 2020 season get canceled, Jake stayed optimistic entering his senior campaign. In the end, Jake feels happy that he gets to spend one more season on the field with his best friends.
“I’m not too worried about the pandemic, because we have been pretty safe with guys wearing masks in the dugout and in team huddles. I’m just looking forward to my last ride playing alongside all of my friends,” Jake says. “We’re lucky enough to be playing, so I’m just trying to enjoy the moment and make memories.”
First-year Head Coach Nick Merullo is relying on Jake as one of the club’s top players. Merullo describes Jake as a leader both on and off the diamond.
“Jake is a lead-by-example type of player and lets his play do most of the talking for him,” says Merullo. “Jake is our most reliable hitter and defender. He is batting .400 out of our leadoff spot and has great range on the infield as our shortstop. He is the type of player every player and coach loves to have on their team—humble, hardworking, and a great competitor.”
With Merullo being a new coach, Jake says that it took a little time for Guilford’s players to develop a relationship with him. Now that the team is deep into its season, Jake feels pleased that the Grizzlies are forming strong bonds with Merullo, himself included.
“My relationship with Coach Merullo has grown since the start of the season. He was the new guy coming in and shared a lot of personal experiences that many guys would dream of,” Jake says. “For me personally, he’s helped guide me and get the most out of me as a player. He expects hard work and nothing less, and I’m glad I got to meet him and play for him.”
In addition to his achievements on the baseball field, Jake has also seen plenty of success as a member of the Guilford boys’ basketball team. During the 2021 winter season, Jake earned All-SCC East Division honors for his performance as a point guard.
Jake says that he learned a lot about the importance of the team concept through his experience on the basketball court in Guilford.
“I played basketball for four years at Guilford. I was on varsity for three of those and served as a captain this past year,” says Jake. “Basketball meant a lot to me as it taught me that being selfish will not win you games. It takes a full team to be successful.”