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Four teams eye playoffs
BASEBALL
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April 03, 2009 | 12:36 PM
Four North Shore teams will battle it out for Suffolk County baseball supremacy in 2009. Shoreham-Wading River, Rocky Point, Miller Place and Mount Sinai all return highly competitive squads that should lead to postseason action. Three of the schools face off with one another as part of League VI competition while the Mustangs should challenge for the League VII title if not more.
At Shoreham-Wading River the Wildcats have made the playoffs for the past 22 years but this year will be a test for Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame head coach Sal Mignano. Last year, the Wildcats finished with an 11-7 league record, 13-9 overall. But the Wildcats graduated 10 players from last year's team and have little in the way of returning players. Mignano, however, remains optimistic.
"We have a good mix of players but we don't have as much experience as we did last year," Mignano said. "We're the type of team that is going to get better as the season goes on. I think we're a playoff contender. I'm confident with the mix we have."
The Wildcats are led by returning All-League pitcher/outfielder Bryan Kelly. Kelly batted .350 last year with one home run. He will also serve as the closer where his fastball and outstanding curve ball should keep opposing batters in check.
Offensively the team will not lack leadership. Returning All-League senior outfielder/pitcher/first baseman Chris Catan hit a solid .333 while fellow senior Sam Sheppard was a .300 hitter last year. Junior first baseman/pitcher Jimmy Luppins can provide power. The junior varsity Most Valuable Player in 2008, Luppins has an assortment of pitches to keep hitters off balance.
Four sophomores from last year's 20-0 JV squad will also make their varsity debut in 2009: Second baseman Kevin Davis, centerfielder Chris Frick, Matt Kneisel and third baseman/pitcher Ryan McPlary.
"The top of our order can get on base and the middle can drive the ball," said Mignano. "We also have enough speed to run and we'll work around that. Defensively we're above average. I'm looking forward to the season, we have a lot of potential."
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| | | Matt Dunn looks to throw to second as Shoreham’s Sam Sheppard slides safely into third base due to a high throw.
Photo by Dennis Whittam. (click for larger version) | |
The Miller Place Panthers finished 2008 with a 13-5 league record, 16-5 overall. Junior varsity coach Tom Veryzer replaces Ira Kohansov and he inherits a team that is simply loaded with talent.
"I'm very excited about this season," said Veryzer. "We are returning a lot of people who are baseball oriented and a very tight group."
The Panthers are led by senior All-County pitcher/outfielder Thor Miller. The League VI Pitcher of the Year, Miller was 8-1 with a 0.90 earned run average. He can throw a slider and change-up in addition to a fast ball and curve.
Another returning All-County player is outfielder/catcher Joe Mancini who hit a hefty 467 with three home runs and 22 RBIs in 2008. Also returning are All-League shortstop Tyler DeRosa, who hit .330 with three homers and 31 RBIs, and All-League outfielder Mike Moosbrugger, who hit .456 with one dinger and 20 RBIs in 2008.
Also returning are third baseman Matt Dunn, who hit .353 with three homers and 15 RBIs, and first baseman/pitcher Dean Haussel, who batted .381 with one homer and 20 RBIs. Haussel was also named as an Academic All-League player last year. He went 3-3 on the mound with a 2.95 earned run average.
Joining a formidable staff that already includes Miller and Haussel are southpaw junior James Wegge and righty freshman Matt Hinchy.
"Offensively we are strong one through nine," said Veryzer. "We will be aggressive at the plate and as a team we can run. I'm going to let the play speak for itself. The team wants to be in the playoffs but we are going to take it one game at a time. If we play to our capabilities I hope to move deeper into the playoffs."
Rocky Point is the defending league champion and there appears to be no reason why they shouldn't repeat. The Eagles graduated three position players and none of their pitching staff.
"Last year was a very nice regular season," head coach Andrew Aschettino said. "We set a program record with 17 wins and won our first-ever regular season league championship. We have a lot of experienced players returning along with all six of our pitchers. I expect us to be right in there come playoff time with our ultimate goal the Suffolk County championship. I believe that we have the kind of team that can do it."
Leading is All-County second baseman Peter Craig. The senior batted .444 a year ago with five home runs and 18 RBIs and won a Suffolk County Gold Glove for his play at second base.
Joining Craig is All-League senior Sean Craig at shortstop. Craig hit .356 with two round trippers and 15 RBIs and is considered one of the top shortstops in the county. Also returning for his senior year is All-League pitcher/first baseman Phil Rado. Rado batted .386 with five homers and 29 RBIs while posting a 3-3 record behind a 2.86 earned run average. Senior Tim Popko will pitch and play centerfield. Popko was 7-1 in 2008 with a 2.06 ERA while batting .386 with one home run and 14 RBIs. Also slated to pitch is senior Dan Smiles who was 6-2 last year with a 2.23 ERA.
Senior John Guido also returns and will start in right field for the Eagles while sophomore Joe DeFrank is slated to hold down the hot corner. DeFrank batted .340 with one homer and 12 RBIs last year.
"I think our defense is our strength," said Aschettino. "We're strong up the middle with three All-League players and a very fundamentally sound infield that allows our pitchers to pitch to contact. Offensively we are solid one through nine and we have some team speed. Plus, we have one of the deepest benches that we've had in some time. But this is a very competitive league with Shoreham-Wading River, Miller Place and Harborfields. It's going to be a battle. I expect us to be right there at the end and hopefully go deeper into the playoffs."
The Mustangs finished with a 12-6 league record, 14-8 overall. But head coach Eric Reichenbach graduated seven players from last year's team including two starting pitchers. That said, Richenbach is confident with who he has returning to the team.
"We don't have a number one pitcher," Reichenbach said. "But I have four pitchers who all could be number ones. I can go with any one of them as a number one starter. I'm real excited about these four kids. They all have good command and good mechanics."
The four are junior Nick D'Angelo, junior Ian Schneider, junior Tyler Badamo and junior Doug Putowski. All four are right handers and three are returning varsity players. D'Angelo and Schneider earned All-League honors in 2008 with D'Angelo hitting .365 and Schneider .402. Putowski hit a solid .310 while Badamo headlined the junior varsity squad. The Mustangs also have experience in returning senior left fielder Seepaul Paray who hit .390 last year.
"I think offensively we may struggle a bit," said Richenbach. "Two of our players are injured so far. Defensively we're okay but our pitching could carry us to the title. We're strong but inexperienced and their arms are strong. Once we get everyone back we should be okay. My expectations are pretty high this year."
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