For a span of seven years, winning a Skyline Conference championship was an annual tradition for the Farmingdale State team. I was a part of two of those titles, and there was three more after that.
Something strange happened in 2015–someone else was crowned champions (Old Westbury). Then it happened again in 2016 (St. Joseph’s). And again this past year (Maritime).
As the calendar approaches 2018, the Rams will be looking to return to the mountain top, a spot that was so familiar for the program. They will have to do so without two of their critical players from last season; Matt Seelinger and Dalton McCarthy, who both graduated. Seelinger was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates, becoming the first player selected in the MLB Draft since 1979.
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I was down at their intrasquad today, and it is a revamped team that will be relying on several newcomers this year. Head Coach Keith Osik, entering his 13th year, likes the team they will go to battle mix.
“I think we have a solid mix of youth and experienced players,” he said. They will be counting on Vinny Rice (Farmingdale ’15) to be a two-way player. He had an amazing 2017 season in which we named him to our All-Long Island team after compiling a slash line of .413/.488/.541. He added eight stolen bases and drew more walks (14) than he struck out (8). He will also return to the mound, now two years removed from Tommy John Surgery and his velocity is back up to the upper 80s.
They will also be counting on a comeback season from OF Nick Attardi (Smithtown West 2015). His average dipped to .250 last season, but he was one of the most productive players in the conference as a freshman, batting a robust .420 with an incredible OBP of .514.
Rob Costanzo (Sachem North 2014) is coming off an injury last year but led Dowling in batting the previous year and could be an impact bat at the top of the order.
They are also returning a handful of other players that will be expected to produce; such as Nick Soriano (.353),Tyler Schrimpf (.352), Joseph Roche (.333) and Cam Alfano (.287).
A handful of transfers and freshmen could have immediate impacts as well offensively including Shawn Blasberg, who hit .355 at Suffolk CC last year and was named to our All-Long Island team, he could be the starting SS.
Freshman Jake Jacobs (Commack 2017) is coming off a great season winning the Suffolk County Class AA title, and could be the starting 3B. He has the type of athleticism to play any infield position. He made a terrific diving stop in the intrasquad game. He’s the type of winning player that could be critical in the Skyline Conference.
“We could have three shotstops starting in the infield at second, short and third,” said Osik referring to the team’s versatility and athleticism.
Tom DiSena (Newfield 2017) had five hits in the past two intrasquad games and could see plenty of at bats if he continues to hit.
Two other transfers are Ernie Geraci (West Hampton 2016) is coming over from St. Rose and Devan Caybasi (Smithtown East) from Felician are two players with Div-II experience that could play critical roles.
The pitching staff will be counting on Nassau CC transfer (Tommy DiGiorgi) to step in and be a workhorse. They have several arms that will be competing for spots in the rotation, such as David Otero, Mattthew Constantine, Joe Marino, Logan Hicks, Ryan Mallon, Lou Puccio, among others.
It will be another thrilling year of Skyline Conference baseball and I fully expect Farmingdale to be a tough out in the postseason yet again.
