Though he has now been a Spartan since the 2008-2009 season, this University of Tampa baseball player grew up around a Sunshine State Conference rival.
“My dad was the Head Baseball Coach at Lynn University, so I used to always be around baseball growing up,” said Carmine Giardina, senior pitcher for the Spartans.
Giardina was born in Long Island, NY, but moved down to Boca Raton, FL when he was three. He moved to the Tampa Bay area when he was eight, and played high school ball at Durant High School, located in Plant City.
He also played club ball for Chet Lemon’s Juice, a national 18 years and under team. During his time with Coach Chet Lemon and the Juice, Giardina got a chance to play with athletes who are now playing pro ball.
“[It was] fun to play with that caliber of players,” said Giardina. “It was a lot of fun; it was a good time.”
Giardina has a list of accomplishments and awards that he earned during high school, namely being a two time first team all-state selection and a St. Pete Times first-team all-Hillsborough County selection. He was also ranked the top left-handed pitcher in Florida as well as a top 50 prospect in the nation.
After his senior year of high school in 2006, Giardina was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 28th round. He had to decide whether to forgo a college education for professional baseball, or start looking into colleges. After the Red Sox didn’t match his asking price, Giardina decided to continue with his academics.
“I just felt like the education was more important. They didn’t really meet the dollar number I was asking for, so I decided to go to college,” said Giardina.
Joe Urso, Head Coach for the Spartan baseball team spoke of how highly talented and recruited Giardina was out of high school.
“Out of high school, we had talked with his family. He was one of the highest recruited athletes in our area; just a tremendous left-handed pitcher who originally had signed with the University of Texas,” Urso said.
University of Texas is known for its consistently dominant Division I baseball program, which Urso said exemplifies how talented Giardina is. However, Giardina had a change of heart and decided to attend and play for the University of Central Florida.
“He ended up changing his mind [and went] to UCF,” Coach Urso said. “We were hoping to get him at that point too but it didn’t work out, but we’re just happy to have him [now].”
Giardina spent his freshman and sophomore years at Central Florida, where he was coached in his first year there by Head Coach Jay Bergman. After an overhaul on the coaching staff at UCF, Giardina decided to transfer to Tampa.
“There was a coaching change over there. The coaches that I had played for, they got fired and then [UCF] brought in new coaches,” said Giardina. “I just felt that it was the best bet for me to come over here and not worry about the new coaches over there.”
In his junior year, as a first time Spartan, Giardina set down nine hitters through seven innings of work against Saint Anslem. At NCAA South Regional, he struck out the side in a 21-8 win versus Stillman.
After his junior year in Tampa, Giardina was once again drafted, this time in the 22nd round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Giardina did not feel comfortable leaving UT to finish his degree at a public school like the Pirates wanted him to do.
“I really felt like I wanted to get my degree in Tampa,” Giardina said. “Last year, we didn’t finish well. We didn’t make [an NCAA Championship], so this year [I wanted to] get back and [win the championship]. It’s one of my goals.”
Returning for his senior campaign, Giardina threw eight scoreless innings against the Bentley Falcons on March 8th, picking up his second win of the season.
Coach Urso is pleased with Giardina’s performance thus far.
I just think he’s showing a tremendous amount of confidence right now on the mound and he’s had some great outings for us this year,” Coach Urso said. “He’s just done really good for us this year. He’s throwing really well and commanding three pitches right now.”
Giardina says he and his teammates fully expect the Spartans to win it all this season.
“That’s the expectation every year I guess here at Tampa, when everybody signs here. I know when I signed to come to school here, that was my expectation- to get a [National Championship] ring. I definitely think that’s our team’s expectation,” said Giardina.
As far as Giardina’s professional baseball career after college, he said he grew up a New York Mets fan and has converted to a Tampa Bay Rays fan, but has no preference of team when it comes to the next MLB draft.
“It doesn’t really matter to me, as long as I’m getting an opportunity,” Giardina said. “Whoever drafts me, I’ll become a fan of that team.”
Daniel Feingold can be reached at dfeingold@ut.edu.