Bragging rights: Future Northeastern baseball teammates clash in Rich Pedroli Classic
NATCK - Franklin shortstop Henry DiGiorigio tapped Lincoln-Sudbury's Cooper Tarantino on the shoulder and gave him a respectful nod when he stepped into the batters box for the first time.
It was a small moment of recognition between two competitors of the bigger picture. They opposed each other in Saturday's Rich Pedroli Daily News Classic championship game at Mahan Field, but they'll be wearing the same jersey before too long.
Both are committed to play college baseball at Northeastern. DiGiorgio announced his commitment in July of 2022, while Tarantino made the pledge this fall.
"He's a great kid, looking forward to being at school with him next year, and he's a great player, too," DiGiorgio said. "Obviously we talked before and after the game, but when we're in between the lines, we're competing against each other and friendship veers off until the game is over."
That friendship has built gradually. The pair golfs together on occasion. They're connected to a recruiting class full of local talent. In addition to DiGirorgio and Tarantino, Ashland senior pitcher Ty Letichevsky and Nipmuc slugger Anthony Ruggerio will make their way to Huntington Ave. Hopkinton resident Carter Bentley of the Rivers School will room with Tarantino at Northeastern.
They'll join a roster that features 23 Massachusetts natives in 2024, including Franklin grad Ryan Gerety and Medway's James Qunlivan (Milton Academy).
"They like to say 'Northeast made,' and I think when you find the right guys from up here, we've got a lot of great kids in my class from Massachusetts," DiGiorgio said. "We're ready to go."
It was the first time DiGiorgio faced off with Tarantino after the Panthers fell in the opening round of last season's Pedroli Classic, and the Warriors reached the final. Tarantino appreciated being able to play at all and catch after tearing his shoulder in the winter.
"Me being able to come out here and spend time with a future teammate is really special," Tarantino said.
DiGiorgio went 2-for-4, as the Panthers prevailed 5-1 to claim the title. Tarantino launched a double that sounded like it may leave the park off his bat.
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"Why don't we wait until next year to start hitting some home runs," DiGiorgio joked.
Their banter remained playful when DiGiorgio was at the plate and when Tarantino ventured to second.
"That's gonna be my buddy for the next four years. Obviously we're cracking a couple jokes, talking some trash before today," Tarantino said. "In between the lines, it's gonna be sportsmanship, it's gonna be classy."
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The banter may continue once they're Huskies. DiGiorgio will hold the head-to-head lead unless the teams meet in the Division 1 state tournament. While unlikely, it's not impossible. L-S (16-6) held the 11th seed in Friday's final power rankings update before Wednesday's bracket release, and Franklin, which has played in the past two state finals, is No. 17.
"I've got a little bragging rights over him right now," DiGiorgio said. "But we always can see these guys again in the state tournament and there'll be hungry and ready for us again, and we'll be ready for them."
Unless that happens, DiGiorgio and Tarantino will be pulling for each other and all of their other future teammates. They'll be in the same boat soon enough.
"I love seeing all their posts, all that stuff" DiGiogio said. "It just excites me because I like when other people are doing well."
Contact Kyle Grabowski at kgrabowski@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kylegrbwsk.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Rich Pedroli Classic: Future Northeastern baseball teammates face off
