Injury-plagued Post 59 eliminated in Zone 4 semifinal

By Chris Villani

Milford Legion manager Steve DiVitto said 2024 was one of the more trying seasons he has had at the helm of the summer baseball squad. Post 59 faced injuries from the start of the year through the final games, but never made excuses as the team still finished second in the Zone 4 regular season standings.

“They showed up every day,” DiVitto said. “We had guys playing all over the place, but they really played hard. It’s a testament to their character.”

Milford’s summer came to an abrupt end with back-to-back losses to a Hudson team that went on to earn a spot in the state tournament.

“A lot of guys were playing hurt, and I think we just ran out of gas. But it was not for lack of trying,” DiVitto said. “They put everything they had into it, and unfortunately the chips didn’t fall where we wanted them to.”

Milford’s pitching staff was a driving force behind the team’s success all summer. Brothers Ian and Damien Carter led the way in innings on the mound.

“They were rocks in the rotation,” DiVitto said. “They were outstanding for us.”

Anthony LaPierre is another player who had a strong season on the mound, despite battling a midseason injury. 

DiVitto was also pleased with the performance of Blackstone Valley Tech student Jordan Martorano.

“I think we really found something in him,” the skipper said. “He has a very, very bright future. He pitched in some big games for us, including on the Fourth of July, and he never wavered.”

Two of Post 59’s cornerstones were veteran players Sean McGee and Keith Lee.

“Sean was outstanding,” DiVitto said. "You want to talk about a gamer. He is one of the toughest kids, mentally, I have ever coached.”

Lee battled a hand injury that made catching impossible for the last few weeks of the season.

“He could hit, even though I think he was in pain but wasn’t saying it,” his coach said.

Most of Milford’s roster is eligible to return next summer. Post 59 will lose Elijah Sylvia, an outfielder by trade who DiVitto said played nearly every position on the diamond. Milford will welcome back 14 of the 18 players on the roster, including Nipmuc rising junior Sean Burchard, who ended the year batting around .400.

“We are never sure how many are going to come back, but I know we have some good players who are eligible to come back,” DiVitto said, “and we are excited about it.”