05/28/09
David Shaughnessy
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When Topher Triano was five years old, his grandfather gave him his first ever baseball bat. To this day, he recalls how he “carried that bat around everywhere.” Triano, now a senior standout on the Garnets baseball team, insists that his love of the game began with that first bat and continues still today. Fortunately for varsity head coach Mike Bruno – while Topher’s love of the game has remained constant – his skill set and baseball talent have evolved, propelling Triano into the elite of Section I baseball.
Triano’s statistics so far this season have been truly prolific. He is batting .549 with 24 RBIs and three home runs. He has registered a hit in all but one game this season (in which he was walked twice), and has a slugging percentage around .900. In addition to being a nightmare for opposing pitchers, the senior switch hitter has also stolen 10 bases.
“He has done everything I have asked him to this season,” explained Bruno, who has penciled in Triano at both shortstop and catcher in the lineup card this season. These two positions – while seemingly very different – are both critically important to the success of any team.
“I love to catch and play short because those positions are always active,” noted Triano. “You’re constantly on your toes and ready to play.”
Overall, Triano has helped lead the Garnets to a 10-9-1 start this season against a very tough opposing schedule. His versatility in the field and his skills at the plate has put the Garnets in contention to potentially make some noise come playoff time.
“We’ve started to get the hang of it and play as more of a team,” Triano explains. “The team has really become a family unit.”After the Garnets wrap up this spring, Triano will continue to work on his game throughout the offseason. He will attend Manhattanville College in the fall and hopes to transfer to Palm Beach Junior College or Florida Atlantic to continue his baseball career. Best of luck to Topher and the Garnets the rest of the way.
