Anytime you can break a record set by Marcus Stroman, you’re doing something right.
Pat-Med SS and Albany-commit Brad Malm set the program-record for assists in a single-season last year, according to Head Coach Anthony Frascogna, breaking the previous record held by the Blue Jays ace pitcher.
He also recorded a hit in every game (35 total), hit .393, scored 24 runs and drove in 14 runs. One issue he’ll have to deal with is how patient he is at the plate now that he’s no longer a secret.
“He’s gotta be selective,” said Frascogna. “Teams are not going to want him to beat them.”
This will be a big factor in how far Pat-Med goes this year, coming off a 13-10 season in which they had several first-time varsity players out there. Frascogna was very pleased with how they responded to being thrown into the fire.
He was particularly pleased with the maturation of ace pitcher Josh Rovner. The Adelphi-commit asserted himself into the conversation of best pitchers in Suffolk County after he fired 10 scoreless innings at Ducks Stadium against William Floyd. He won four games for the Raiders.
“Josh has been everything,” said Frascogna. “He’s been a leader, he’s at every workout and he’s going to make-or-break us this year–it’s not secret,” he added that it will be “all hands on deck after Josh.”
They will also be counting on sophomore Phil Gerard–who did very well as a freshman–and Thomas Pannullo.
They will be looking to replace the impact of Tristan Amone, who is currently at Fairfield University. He won four games last year and formed a dynamic duo with Rovner atop the rotation.
Frascogna is confident that the staff is in good hands while catcher Daniel Codispoti is behind the plate. He lauded him for his leadership abilities, noting he is a “pretty smart kid that works really hard” at being a complete catcher.
The rest of the infield is very experienced. First baseman Frank “Pap” Papanikolatos will provide punch in the order and will have the benefit of receiving throws from a very strong unit. In addition to Malm at short, he is confident in junior second baseman Andrew Ciufo and third baseman Cameron Lopez.
Ciufo has really matured as a player, performing very well in the Dominican Republic tournament against minor league pitchers.
The outfield is solid as well. Patrolling center field is Vito Morabito, who he noted has a really good arm and has great speed. He will be joined by Erik Matz, and they should cover a ton of ground in their spacious outfield.
They will open up at Sachem East, as they begin their quest for another playoff run.
