Boscarino Eyes Four-Year Destination After Great Rookie Year With Leafs
TORONTO - As Luca Boscarino slowly trots around the bases following a moon shot to right-centre field, the Pits faithful cheer him on.
His seventh-inning home run — the rookie’s first in the Intercounty League — puts the Leafs up comfortably, 10-3, on the night against Barrie.
The Mississauga, Ont. native is hoping that his summer experience with the Leafs — coupled with a freshman season at junior college Connors State which saw him slash a tidy .336/.417/.582 — will help catapult him to a good collegiate landing spot down south.
“I’m trying to find a home for next year,” said Boscarino, whose 2-for-3 night against the Baycats bumped his rookie-year average to .241. “Going into my last year at JuCo, I’m swinging it pretty good right now — hopefully I can carry that into the fall, then the spring, and find myself a good four-year home for my final two years.”
For Leafs skipper Damon Topolie, who has played in the Intercounty since 1996 and seen his share of elite talent, the addition of Boscarino to Toronto’s outfield rotation has been a welcome one.
“I have coached him for a long time, so knew the type of player I was getting,” said Topolie. “He has been a great team guy and I knew he’d be a great fit in our clubhouse.
“To have the summer he has had, before going back to school, is exactly what I brought him in for — to learn from our veteran guys.”
The Leaf roster is brimming with JuCo success stories, and Boscarino’s path is well-illuminated by teammates in the Christie Pits clubhouse.
“It’s been awesome watching guys like (Justin) Marra, (Jordan) Castaldo, (Jon) Solazzo,” said the versatile Boscarino. “Watching them handle their business, how they take ABs, it’s awesome to learn from them.
“Even when things aren’t going as well, there’s always something you can pick up — you can’t find that anywhere else in summer baseball.”
Regardless of where Luca Boscarino lands following his sophomore season at Connors State, he is determined to keep the Pits crowds cheering for summers to come.
“I want to keep coming back every year and play with the Leafs,” he grinned. “And help these guys chase a ring every summer.”
Photo: Craig Aikin