First year Head Coach Pete Cammarata is excited. Having been the assistant coach to Mike Herschaft for the past decade, he is no stranger to the program though.
“I am so stoked for this season,” he said. “This has really re-energized me,” he added.
Herschaft, who was my coach in 2008-’09, was one of the most dedicated and genuine person you will meet. His commitment to the Centereach program was evident by the hours he spent working with individuals and his extensive offseason video programs.
“Hersch’s name will be mentioned here for as long as I’m coaching,” said Cammarata. “He taught me not just things about baseball but about life as well–how to handle things,” he added. “Although the wins weren’t there that you would expect, everyone knew that Hersch’s teams were well-coached and knew the game.”
Last year’s team was led by senior pitchers Eric Russo (Mitchell College) and Sean McGuinnes (College of St. Rose), who have moved on to pitch at the college level. They struggled to a 6-14 record, as they relied on six sophomores and were a bit inexperienced at key spots.
The silver lining is that those sophomores are now juniors that have gained valuable experiences. Additionally, the JV team compiled a record of 18-2 last year and several of those players are now at the varsity level.
Assistant coach, Paul Lettieri, who coached JV last year is familiar with several of the players and noted that he has kept an eye on this junior class since they were in fifth grade. He noted that there are 15 juniors on the team, which is an advantage for them.
This year’s team will be counting on SS Ryan DeCoursey. He is one of the juniors that logged significant playing time last year.
“He can catch a ground ball with the best of them,” said Cammarata. “He could be one of the best in the league, he’s going to be a middle-of-the-order hitter for us,” he added.
His double play partner will be 2B Robert Maina, who also started last year. “He’s another player that’s very solid defensively, he’s also going to be a hitter for us, and hit in the middle-of-the-order.
Cammarata is high on 3B Ryan Mahnke. He was described as a “third baseman with power that has very good baseball instincts and knows where to be at all times.” He will pitch their third games of series.
Left fielder Jake Parisi is a converted middle infielder that will be switched to the outfield this year.
“This kid can flat-out catch the ball,” said Cammarata. “He could be one of the best outfielders in the league, very smart and very fast.”
They will be counting on senior catcher Anthony Willms for steady defense behind the plate and to be a leader on the team.
The staff will be anchored by junior Eddie Bassett. He was their primary reliever last season as a sophomore, and Cammarata noted that he has “very good command of four pitches and has good good mound presence.” He added that he “is going to think through situations.”
They will be competing in League 4 this season with West Islip, Newfield, Huntington, Copiague and North Babylon.
They recognize the challenge of facing those teams, and they will open up on March 26 with West Islip before facing crosstown rival Newfield.
