Coming off a 17-2 record in 2015, Glenn stumbled out of the gate in ’16 primarily due to a wrath of injuries to key players. Their two top pitchers and starting catcher went down with injuries and they got off to a disastrous start to the season.
They did respond well to adversity, winning four consecutive games in the middle of the season and ultimately finished with their pride in tact.
This year, first year Head Coach Matthew Rocchio is fortunate to be inheriting a team that he is very familiar with–being that he was the JV coach for the previous two seasons and watched much of this group mature.
The team will be counting on Adelphi-commit Jack Ryan to provide veteran leadership, stability behind the plate and offensive production. He will be handling a staff that has a very high upside. Greg Thornhill, a 6’5″ RHP, will be anchoring the staff. He missed last season due to injury but is a player to watch.
He will be joined by Joe Muchnicki, who Rocchio is very high on.
“They both throw in the low 80s and have dynamite breaking balls,” he said.
They will have a competition for the third spot in the rotation. Freshman Matt Polestino has a legitimate chance to be in the rotation to begin the season. He’s already touching 79 MPH and Rocchio is a fan of his tenacity. He will be competing with another LHP, 6’3″ Chris Spalding for the third spot in the rotation.
Two offensive players that he has high expectations for are outfielder Anthony Tesi, who will be hitting leadoff and DH Kyle Adomites, who will provide pop in the middle-of-the-order.
Rocchio noted that the silver lining of the injuries last year was that it allowed plenty of sophomores to get experience and prepare themselves for these next two years.
They will be competing in the ultra-competitive League 7 against perennial powerhouses in Shoreham-Wading River and Bayport-Blue Point, but he did guide the JV team to a 10-8 record last year and were very competitive with the top teams.
