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Competitive teams in Tornadoes and Blue Devils
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April 02, 2009 | 12:57 PM
The Harborfields baseball team capped off a successful season last year by dropping two games to Islip in the Suffolk County Class A championship. The Tornadoes, which will compete in League VI, are out for revenge this year, as they look toward producing another great season and hope to take the league by storm.
Harborfields head coach Jordan Cox, who was the team's assistant coach last season under Gene Rochler, will take over the reins. He has assembled a squad that is able to produce a nice mix of hitting and pitching. "This year's team is a class act," said Cox. "They are respectful and very talented ballplayers."
Harborfields seniors right-handed pitcher/first baseman PJ Lenz, rightfielder Vinny Carminati and right-handed pitcher/third baseman Dylan Harmon are all entering their second season on the squad.
Although Carminati and Lenz hit for power, Cox is impressed with his team's overall performance at the plate. "Everyone in the lineup can swing the bat with the ability to hit to the opposite field," he said. "Our goal this year is to win a league championship, taking it one series and one game at a time."
Competing in League V will be the Huntington Blue Devils. The past three years have been a work in progress for Huntington. They are preparing to have a very competitive season. "This should be our year," said Huntington head coach Greg Kalkau. "We have the top pitching staff in the league."
They started the season on a positive note with a 4-3 victory in the John Glenn tournament one week ago. "We look very good," Kalkau said. "We should be a contender in League V this year."
He is looking forward to seeing his three-man pitching rotation produce. All of them are senior captains. Danny Goldstein, who signed in the fall to play Division I baseball at Bucknell next year, will be the number one starter for Huntington. He features an 88 mph fastball and changeup.
Starting pitcher Joe Rielly, who also plays shortstop, hits for power and bats third in the lineup. "He is a leader on and off the field," said Kalkau.
The third starter in the pitching rotation is Nick Sammartano. When he isn't on the mound, fans can look for him at third base.
The everyday center fielder for Huntington will be senior Mike Taylor. "He hustles and plays hard between the lines," Kalkau said.
Eighth grade starting catcher Rob Fiato will play third base when Sammartano is on the mound. "He plays well above his level," said Kalkau. "The other players look up to him as a leader and someone to step up on the field."
Kalkau is impressed with junior leftfielder/pitcher Luis Lopez, who will be utilized out of the bullpen as a middle-reliever. "He is built on speed on the base pads," Kalkau said. "He turns singles into doubles."
Huntington looks ahead to getting on base and being effective. "We are more of a small-ball team," Kalkau said. "The teams for us to beat are Sayville and Kings Park."
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